Dublin, Ireland – Alan Dillon T.D., Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, has announced a new funding call to encourage more women and diverse groups to participate in local government. This initiative, now in its sixth year, has been revised to help local authorities focus on increasing representation.
Minister Dillon emphasized the importance of diversity in council chambers, stating, “Council chambers should reflect the diversity of our communities. It’s crucial to support female and migrant councillors and to prepare for the next local elections in 2029.”
The revised scheme focuses on four key areas, including making local authorities more family-friendly and promoting diversity among migrant and minority groups. The recent local elections saw a record 681 female candidates, making up 31% of all candidates, and a significant increase in migrant candidates compared to 2019.
“This funding is part of a broader effort by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage to encourage gender balance and diversity in local government,” Dillon added. The Department also supports political parties and key stakeholders working with women and diverse groups, with plans to introduce a scheme for hybrid council meetings later this year.
Minister Dillon concluded, “I hope this initiative continues the progress made in recent years, and we achieve balanced representation in our council chambers.”