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Local authorities

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9 items

Part of
Public services
Enacted

Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024

Údarás na Gaeltachta’s board would be reshaped so that most members are elected, with the rest appointed by the Minister, and all members would need enough Irish to do the job. The measure also creates regional committees to strengthen links with Gaeltacht communities, gives the agency an explicit power to transfer land for housing in the Gaeltacht, and updates the rules for its elections and related language laws. It also broadens the rules on Gaeltacht service towns so places within 30 kilometres of a language-planning area can be included.
Defeated

Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026

A local authority would take a more active role in organising household waste collection, using a competitive tendering system that gives one provider exclusive rights for a set area or period. It would also require an affordable hardship waiver for bin charges and let councils make rules making landlords responsible for ensuring tenants have proper waste collection arrangements. The aim is to make refuse services more consistent, fairer and available across every area.
Dáil

Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026: Second Stage [Private Members]

The Bill sought to let local authorities appoint a single household waste operator, set franchise terms, require landlords to ensure waste contracts, and provide hardship waivers. Labour, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Greens and some independents backed it, arguing the current privatised system is costly, dysfunctional and worsens dumping, congestion and poor service in dense urban areas. The Minister of State opposed it, saying Government is already carrying out an independent feasibility study on franchise models and that major reform should wait for evidence-based review. The Bill did not get Government support at Second Stage.
Dáil

Strategic Infrastructure

Swords’ rapid housing growth is being outpaced by transport, wastewater and community infrastructure, with calls for stronger co-ordination, while Government says major projects and funding are already under way to support sustainable development.
Dáil

Domestic abuse refuge in Portlaoise

Deputy Stanley urged urgent capital funding to open an eight-unit refuge, citing escalating domestic abuse and multiple women killed. The Tánaiste backed the need for action and said domestic, sexual and gender-based violence must have full attention.
Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community

Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed)

Witnesses said Traveller accommodation in Wexford is undermined by poor reporting, weak consultation and a largely ineffective LTACC. They called for stronger national oversight, an independent or longer-term chair, mandatory regular meetings, proper agendas and minutes, and real accountability for delivery and spending. Personal testimony highlighted homelessness, overcrowding, cultural needs around family living and mobility, and the failure of choice-based letting to work for many Travellers, especially older people and those with literacy or digital access difficulties. Members broadly accepted that the current system is too fragmented and that the LTACC needs structural reform rather than more empty consultation.
Seanad

Local democracy task force

Senator Byrne thanked staff and began raising the local democracy task force.
Seanad

Road Projects

Senator Costello criticised DMURS-led road narrowing and parking removals in Tallaght as causing congestion and accessibility problems, while the Government said DMURS is a living document and promised a broader review and consultation, including disability input.
Current

Housing Loans Regulations (Fresh Start - Buyout) (Amendment) Bill 2026

The bill would change the housing loan rules so that someone who stays in the family home after a divorce or legal separation can apply to their local authority for a housing loan to buy out their former partner’s share. It matters because it gives people in that situation a way to keep the home without having to leave simply because they cannot get mortgage finance elsewhere.