Funding announced to support more women and diverse groups to get involved in local government

Laois has been allocated government funding to help support more women and diverse groups to get involved in local government. 

The funding was announced by Alan Dillon T.D., Minister of State for Planning and Local Government on Thursday, October 17.

Laois has been allocated €2,500 out of the national funding pot of €192,650 for the scheme which is now in its sixth year. 

Building on the results of the 2024 local elections, the scheme has been extensively revised to offer further guidance to local authorities. 

Of the 19 County Council seats in Laois, just five are currently held by women, a figure that remains unchanged since the previous sitting council. 

Announcing the funding, Minister Dillon said: “A record 681 female candidates stood in the June local elections, representing an almost 18% increase on the previous elections in 2019, while the number of migrant candidates participating almost doubled. It is my hope that with this funding we can capitalise on that enthusiasm, and begin to see major shifts in the makeup of our local council chambers, making them more reflective of modern Ireland.”

 The funding announced today represents one element of a broader programme of activities carried out by the Department aimed at increasing the participation of women and candidates from diverse backgrounds in local government. Funding is also offered to support NGOs who carry out essential training and research in the area, as well as to political parties and independent groups for projects which encourage participation at party level. Allocations under a funding scheme aimed at facilitating hybrid council meetings, to allow for greater flexibility for those with caring responsibilities, will be announced later this year.

 Minister Dillon said: “The work of local councils has a powerful and direct impact on the places we live and the lives of those who live there. It is therefore of the utmost importance that our council chambers are fully reflective of our communities in all their diversity. The funding programmes offered by my Department are a key part of an overall move towards equality of representation.”