Funding for safety measures justified according to a Kilkenny councillor

Local Green Party Councillor, Maria Dollard, has welcomed a new allowance of up to €2,500 for councillors to provide for measures to enhance their personal physical security.

The announcement made earlier this week by Minster for State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell, comes following a number of security and safety incidents experienced by councillors across the country and the recent introduction of a similar allowance for members of the Oireachtas.

Under the scheme, 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. 

Eligible expenses under the scheme include the installation of intruder alarms, CCTV and the provision of panic buttons.

Cllr Dollard, first elected to Kilkenny County Council in 2020, said: "It's a sad reflection on the times we live in that so many Councillors feel they need to take precautions for fear of being physically attacked or intimidated. Today I received an abusive call from someone and while it's not an everyday occurrence it's regular enough to justify taking extra precautions to protect my safety and that of my family," adding, "There are times when the level of abuse hurled at public representatives goes above and beyond anything that any politician or their families and friends should be exposed to."