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Policy

Local Government

Overview


This department supports local government in its role of promoting the wellbeing and quality of life of citizens and communities through the efficient performance of functions and delivery of good-value services at local level.


Voting

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the policy and laws about the conduct of elections and referendums and the registration of electors.

The department’s work involves:

  • an ongoing review of electoral law
  • legislating for changes, when recommended, to constituencies and local electoral areas
  • the provision of information and advice to registration authorities (which maintain the registers of electors for each council), returning officers (who are responsible for running elections) and the general public, including information on additional supports for voters
  • the publication of election results
  • the verification and certification of any Irish statements of support for a European Citizens’ Initiative

The relevant constitutional and legislative provisions relating to electoral law are available on the Irish Statute Book website.


Fire / Emergency

The department is responsible for supporting the Irish Fire and Rescue Service. It also co-ordinates the national response to:

  • severe weather
  • a range of other major emergencies

Learn more on fire and emergency.


Organisation


Finances


Governance


Human Resources

Strategic Framework for Workforce Planning
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Strategic Workforce Planning Guidelines
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Pension Scheme


Local Democracy Taskforce

The Programme for Government commits to reforming and strengthening local government which is the “beating heart of our democracy” and provides many of the essential services on which we all depend. It states that the Government will convene a ‘Local Democracy Taskforce’ with the Local Government sector to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government. Initial work is progressing through engagement with stakeholders.

Read more about Local Democracy Taskforce here


Local Government Circulars

Local Government pay and related circulars will be published here. This page is in beta and is not yet complete with all circulars.

Note: Circulars published in January and June 2024 notifying pay adjustments under the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026 for January and June 2024 have separate Chief Executive orders. From 1st October 2024 onwards, the Chief Executive pay scales will be amalgamated in the main circular with all Local Authority grades.

S 6A. 2025 Health Corporate Bodies Income and Expenditure Returns
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S 6. 2025 Local Authorities Income and Expenditure Returns
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Circular S.05 2025 Clarification on Mandatory Retirement Age for Fulltime Firefighters and Fast Accruals
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Circular LG(P) 3 2025 Clarification Retirement Age Retained Firefighters
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Circular S.3 2025 Application of CPI - Min Death Gratuity payable to Non New Entrant Non Officer
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DPENDR 23_2022 Limited appeals process for option to join public service S&C pension schemes
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Circular S.2 2025 Limited Appeals Process for option to join S and C
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Circular S.1-2025 Annual Report 2023
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EL 03-2025 - Fire Fighters Station Sub Officers - 1st March 2025
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Circular EL 03-2025 - Application of 01 March 2025 Pay Adjustments (PSA_2024-2026)
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EL 04-2024 Starting Pay on Recruitment through Open Competition to the Public Sector - Appointment of Existing Public Servants from the EEA UK and Switzerland Serving in Analogous Grades
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Circular LG(P) 05 .2024 Compulsory Retirement Age of Retained Firefighters
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Circular S.5 2024 Compulsory Retirement Age of Full Time Firefighters and Increase in Fast Accruals
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Circular EL 03-2024 – October 2024 Pay Adjustments
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EL 03-2024 – Fire Fighters Station Sub Officers – 1st October 2024
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Circular EL 02-2024 – June 2024 Pay Adjustments
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Local Authority Chief Executives and Director General (Remuneration) (No. 2) Order, 2024
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EL 02-2024 – Fire Fighters Station Sub Officers – 1st June 2024
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Circular EL 01-2024 – January 2024 Pay Adjustments
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Local Authority Chief Executives and Director General (Remuneration) (No. 1) Order, 2024
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EL 01-2024- Fire Fighters Station Sub Officers – 1st January 2024
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