In Ireland, there are currently 949 councillors serving in 166 local electoral regions. The figure decreased from 1,627 councillors in 2014 due to initiated reforms. The upcoming local elections on Friday, 7th June, will see an approximate 2,000 candidates compete for these 949 seats.
So, what constitutes a typical day in the life of a councillor? Primarily, they are the visible embodiment of the local authority’s work, striving to attend to the issues raised by residents in their region. As explained by Hazel Chu, a Green Party city councillor in Dublin, their role in local government remains crucial, even though their powers have diminished over recent years.
Councillors hold primary authoritative control over three areas: public land disposal, zoning, and the city development plan. However, the past few decades have seen a decrease in councillor power, with national government providing funding to the local authorities, and unelected managers taking up positions. Their everyday duties might include responding to citizen enquiries, which could range from issues related to parks, roads and housing.
In addition to representing their local authority on local community and voluntary boards, groups, and committees, Chu, for instance, serves on the housing strategic policy committee. She also heads the homeless subcommittee that reviews homeless policy in Dublin city on a daily basis. Chu further adds, “I take a closer look at a considerable number of vacant and run-down properties. We have an abundance and need to take more action.”
Lastly, the councillors wield certain degree of authority. They have the power to decide on the Local Property Tax (LPT) rate, the local authority’s yearly budget, climate action plans and local area plans. They can also scrutinise the local authority’s annual accounts, assess targets, follow up on audits and demand that the chief executive report on various subjects.
Councillors possess the authority to endorse contenders for inclusion in the presidential election ballot, although their powers are circumscribed. The central figure to enforce the decisions taken by councillors is the chief executive, who holds several independent executive functions. Councillors, however, lack any sway over planning decisions. Moreover, the control over housing funding and housing policies primarily rests with the Central Government.
In terms of remuneration, councillors received a salary hike in 2021, making their current annual earnings €28,724. This is accompanied by a yearly allowance to offset travel, subsistence, and mobile phone expenses.
A common query is whether pension benefits are extended to councillors. Although there exists no pension scheme for this role, a gratuity was initiated instead, 24 years prior. With the implementation of recent regulations, councillors who either lose their seat or retire post the local election in June stand to receive augmented “retirement gratuity” payments.
To illustrate this, a councillor with 20 years of service may leave office with a peak gratuity of €86,172, which is €8,356 greater than the previous maximum of €77,816 established by the former system. Once councillors depart their office and are 50 or older with a minimum of two years of eligible service, they are qualified to receive these payments. Councillors who later serve in the Dáil, Seanad or European Parliament and are above 50 are also recipients of these gratuity payments.