Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
263. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider bringing forward an allowance for local authority members to assist with their expenses of running an office including rates, materials and utilities. [11416/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the introduction from July 2021 of the new remuneration package available for local authority elected members following the publication of the Moorhead Report, there is in fact financial support for elected members in relation to the running of an office.
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.
