Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2025
122. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the resources provided to all local authorities for the provision of social work staff, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/25]
View answerUnder Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. The funding system for local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of sources, such as commercial rates, charges for goods and services, Local Property Tax, as well as funding from Government Departments and other bodies. It is a matter for each local authority as to how it can manage its own spending, in the context of the annual budgetary process.
My Department provides funding in respect of social workers employed by local authorities to work with Travellers. 90% of the salary, travel and subsistence expenses are recouped. Funding is provided from the overall Traveller-specific accommodation current funding budget under which expenditure in 2024 amounted to almost €7 million. The amount recouped relating to social workers is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
