Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
177. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there are no supports for local authority members to have an office; and if he will consider bringing in an allowance for same. [8536/24]
View answerSince the introduction of the new remuneration package available for local authority elected members in July 2021 following the publication of the Moorhead Report, there is in fact financial support in place for elected members for office accommodation.
The Local Representation Allowance (LRA) is payable to an elected member of a local authority on a vouched basis for expenditure up to €5,160 per annum incurred by the member wholly and exclusively in the performance of his or her duties.
Eligible expenditure categories under the LRA include 'rents, rates and other such charges' in respect of an office, 'signage in respect of an office', 'improvements to office accommodation', 'utilities of an office', 'cleaning for office accommodation', and 'insurance, including for office accommodation'.
The LRA guidance defines an 'office' as a 'room or rooms used exclusively for or during the relevant period for the transaction of business in the performance of his/her duties as a Member'. While many elected members choose to use a home office, they are not precluded from using the LRA to rent - on an individual or indeed shared basis with other members - a high street office space.
It is worth noting also that some local authorities make office accommodation and facilities available for their members to avail of should they so wish.
