Nasc’s Policy on Integration - Make Your Mark Campaign-
Vote - Local Government Explained

Local Government Services
Local government has responsibility for the following services in your locality:

Housing
- Provide housing and maintain housing. Provide grants for the upkeep of houses

Planning
- Decide on planning applications for new buildings and make plans for the local area

Road Transport and Safety
- Responsible for maintenance of road network and safety measures

Water Schemes and Sewerage
- Maintenance of all water works and sewerage systems as well as fire brigade

Development Incentives and Controls
- Providing incentives for developers, providing incentives and monitoring developments

Environmental Protection
- Ensuring the quality of the environment through testing and enforcement of laws, also responsible for
collection of household refuse

Recreation and Amenities
- Maintenance of parks, beaches, playgrounds etc

Agriculture, Health, Education and Welfare
- Councillors are appointed to the boards of a range of service providers, including the Health Service Executive and the Vocational Education Committee

What is a Local Councillor?

A councillor is elected to represent people at a local level. This usually entails attendance at council meetings, tabling motions and participating in voting. The role of councillor is not a full-time position and most councillors have additional employment outside of their role in the council. In addition to their role at a local level, councillors can also have an impact at a national level by speaking to Teachta Dála (TDs, Members of Parliament) about issues in their locality.

Council Staff

Councillors only make up a small number of the people employed in a City or County Council. For example, Cork City Council has 31 councillors but employs a further 1,400 people to discharge its various duties e.g. refuse collection, administration, litter wardens, fire brigade. The City/County manager is the person with responsibility for managing a local authority and performing the executive functions of the authority.

Constituencies/Wards

Local authority areas are usually divided into a number of sections called wards. The ward you vote in depends on your address and you may only vote for a candidate who is standing in your ward. For example, Cork City Council has 6 wards: North East, North Central, North West, South East, South Central and South West.

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