Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
634. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the Local Democracy Taskforce; the dates of meetings held; which key milestones have been completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3376/26]
View answer635. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected timeline for the publication of the Local Democracy Taskforce’s recommendations; if the recommendations will be provided to Government and published in the first half of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3377/26]
View answer636. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list the stakeholder organisations that have submitted to the Local Democracy Taskforce consultation; to provide an outline of the key themes emerging from the consultation submissions date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3378/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 634 to 636, inclusive, together.
The Local Democracy Taskforce was established in June 2025 as a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The Taskforce has met on seven occasions to date and I understand it is due to meet on two more occasions in February 2026. The Taskforce met on 26 June 2025, 16 July 2025, 24 September 2025, 29 October 2025, 20 November 2025, 9 December 2025 and 15 January 2026. The Taskforce is supported by Pillar Groups made up of stakeholders from across the sector that provide subject matter expertise and advice to the Taskforce around the themes of Funding, Structures, Functions and Governance and Accountability arrangements across the sector. These Pillar Groups have met on various occasions between the main Taskforce meetings.
As part of the work of the Taskforce, a stakeholder consultation process took place. 78 organisations provided submissions for the Taskforce's consideration. The total list of organisations contacted along with the stakeholder submissions received by the Taskforce is available on my Department's website at the following address www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/local-democracy-taskforce-stakeholder-consultation-submissions/. Some of the high level emerging themes that were evident from the submissions received include how Ireland's model of devolved local government compares internationally, the breadth and depth of existing engagement with local authorities and the role of local Government in community engagement. These themes were considered by the Taskforce against the backdrop of its Terms of Reference. A detailed document containing an analysis of the submissions received is also available on my Department's website.
The Taskforce is now in the process of preparing recommendations for its final report, in line with the timeline outlined in its Terms of Reference. It is expected that the final report will be submitted to me in Q1 and will be considered by Government thereafter. I look forward to receiving the final report in the coming months.
