Carlow receives €2.7 million less annually from local property tax equalisation when compared with other counties of a similar size. This has been acknowledged by the Department and has led to considerable cuts to services. Carlow County Council tells me that it cannot take on extra staff and that it is 30 staff short at the moment. It might be looking for even more staff. The Taoiseach knows that local authorities are the hubs of their communities. Their services are essential. I believe a review of local property tax is ongoing at the moment. I ask the Taoiseach to talk to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the different Departments. We need to get funding into Carlow County Council. We cannot do without services and it is unfair that we are being neglected like this.

In fairness to the Deputy, she has never been slow to speak up and advocate for Carlow. I will engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of this matter, particularly in terms of the equalisation fund and what the Deputy says has been a consistent underfunding of Carlow for quite a number of years in the amount of €2.7 million per year. I will engage with the Minister and raise with him the points the Deputy has raised in respect of the local authority in Carlow. I fully understand the integral part the local authority plays in the development of Carlow town and county.