452. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of public funding received by each political party under provisions relating to the promotion of women's participation in politics since 2020; and the reporting that has been provided on expenditure of these funds. [49412/26]

It is clear that political parties can play a crucial role in encouraging participation at local level. Parties make an important difference in terms of early intervention, supporting and coaching candidates and providing supports to ensure a successful and confident campaign.

Since 2019, my Department has issued regular Calls for Funding inviting political parties and independents to submit applications for projects which are aimed at increasing the participation of women and people from diverse backgrounds. The objective is to have a positive impact on the overall number of these cohorts running for local elections and participating in local government structures and decision-making.

When making a decision on whether to allocate funding, applications are assessed against a number of criteria including for example, whether or not the proposals:

• encourage the participation of female candidates, candidates from a migrant or Traveller background in local elections

• support these councillors who were elected in local elections and which encourage them to remain in politics

• offer supports and training to candidates who have been unsuccessful in their bid for election in previous elections, to encourage them to participate again in future elections and

• provide value for money and strategic focus.

My Department seeks update reports from political parties in relation to funding awarded under this scheme.

The information requested in relation to allocations per annum is set out in the table below. Not all political parties / groupings apply for funding each year.

In respect of national elections, the Electoral Act 1997 (as amended) provides the statutory framework for political funding and sets out a detailed regulatory regime providing for a broad range of issues, including the funding of political parties and the independent supervision of the regime by the Standards in Public Office (SIPO) Commission.

The principal objectives of the Act is to ensure that there is openness and accountability in the relationships that exist between election candidates, members of the Oireachtas and political parties and those who would support them, whether by way of financial assistance or otherwise. More specifically, Part III of the Act provides for the funding of registered political parties subject to meeting specified criteria relating to their performance at Dáil elections. Where a political party qualifies for Exchequer funding, such funding shall only be used for “the general conduct and management of the party's affairs and the lawful pursuit by it of any of its objectives” and may be applied to any or all of the following:

• the general administration of the party;

• research, education and training;

• policy formulation;

• the co-ordination of the activities of the branches and members of the party;

• promotion of participation of women; and

• promotion of participation of young people.

Section 17(4B) of the Act provides that payments to political parties will be reduced by 50% unless at least 40% of the candidates of the political party at the last general election were women and at least 40% were men. Under Part III of the Act, payments shall be made to political parties by the Minister for Finance with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.