The Local Government Act 2001 was designed to provide a modern legislative framework for all local authorities. Under the Act, all town councils, including former town commissioners, may take action to promote the community interest, exercise a representational role, with an office of mayor and structured linkage to the county council; provide local amenities and raise a local community contribution; make local by-laws and have statutory input to the local development plan process under the planning code.
Certain town councils, other than former town commissioners, are under the relevant statutory service codes responsible for certain mainline functions in the housing, roads and sanitary services areas. The Oireachtas, in its comprehensive review and restatement of local government legislative powers in recent years did not extend responsibility for such mainline functions to additional town councils, and legislation would be required to amend this position.
It would not seem appropriate to provide for special grant assistance for the type of research referred to in the question.