357. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a firm deadline for the completion and publication of any report recommending changes to local electoral areas ahead of the 2029 local elections; when he expects the report to be finalised and delivered; and if he will ensure that any proposed changes are brought forward at the earliest possible opportunity to allow sufficient time for local authorities, elected representatives and prospective candidates to prepare for the 2029 local elections. [67951/26]

Section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers the Minister to divide a local authority administrative area into local electoral areas by order and to determine the municipal districts within the administrative area by order. Each municipal district must consist of one or more than one local electoral area.  The section also empowers the Minister to amend those orders. In advance of deciding to make an order under section 23 of the 2001 Act, the Minister must, in accordance with section 32(2) of the Local Government Act 1991, request An Coimisiún Toghcháin to prepare a report having regard to such matters as may be specified by the Minister.

Before making a request to An Coimisiún, section 61 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides that the Minister shall lay a draft of the request before each House of the Oireachtas for approval by resolution by each House. Following the completion of a review, the Minister must publish the report of An Coimisiún and must have regard to the report in deciding whether to make an order in relation to any amendment to local electoral area boundaries or municipal districts.

The current configuration of local electoral areas has applied since the 2019 local elections, and followed a review of local electoral area boundaries conducted in two parts, both published in 2018. I am considering the Terms of Reference for a future boundary review in advance of the 2029 local elections, which would need to take account of the relevant recommendations arising from the Local Democracy Taskforce report, e.g. that Municipal Councils should be established in all local authority areas, including the cities where area committees are currently in place. As set out in the Local Democracy Taskforce Implementation Plan, it is expected that legislative changes that will impact on local government would be in place by mid-2028 to ensure that there is sufficient time for implementation prior to the 2029 local elections.