National: New allowance announced for Councillors to enhance their home security

Mr. Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minster for State for Local Government and Planning has announced a new allowance of up to €2,500 for Councillors to provide for measures to enhance their personal physical security.  

The announcement comes following a number of security and safety incidents experienced by Councillors and the recent introduction of a similar allowance scheme for Oireachtas members.

Regulations signed by Minister O’Donnell and Mr Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform set out details of a scheme under which Councillors will be able to claim up to 50% of their personal security costs, to a maximum value of €2,500, whichever is the lesser amount.

The allowance will be made on a once-off, vouched basis and will be administered by Local Authorities. Guidelines regarding the operation of the scheme will issue very shortly to local authorities. 

The allowance will allow Councillors to take measures to improve their personal physical security at the Councillors’ homes following a review to be carried out by a member of An Garda Síochána.  

Eligible expenses under the scheme include the installation of intruder alarms, CCTV and the provision of panic buttons/GPS-tracked panic button app. Work to install any security measures must be carried out by Private Security Authority registered installers and must meet industry standards.

Announcing this new allowance, Minister O’Donnell stated: 

“I am pleased to announce that I have signed Regulations to provide for a new security allowance to assist Councillors in enhancing their personal physical security at their homes. This follows the introduction of a similar allowance scheme for Oireachtas members recently.

“Councillors will be able to claim up to 50% of their personal security costs, to a maximum value of €2,500, whichever is the lesser amount. The allowance will be made on a once-off, vouched basis and will be administered by the Local Authorities.

“This allowance has been introduced in light of increased security and safety incidents experienced by Councillors.  I would hope that this allowance will support and ensure that current and future serving councillors can continue to carry out the excellent and vital work they do locally for their communities”.