Enhanced security made available to councillors in Limerick and around the country

THE president of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) says councillors are set to get €10,000 worth of personal security at their homes.

Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon says he has been in talks with the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning John Cummins in his capacity as an official with the AILG, which represents members across the State.

He said it’s a strengthening of an initial scheme announced by Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell, in which councillors received a security allowance of €2,500.

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“I do think it’s important councillors feel secure in their own home. In my role as president, I’d have come across a lot of councillors who would have suffered abuse,” said Cllr O’Hanlon.

“A lot of people are put off politics. In some electoral areas around the country, they sometimes had the bare minimum number of candidates. They couldn’t get people to run,” he said.

Under the new scheme, €10,000 will be made available to councillors as a once-off payment.

But it will only be allowed after a home is inspected by a crime prevention officer.

Cllr O’Hanlon said that unlike the initial scheme in which a council member had to pay 50% of the bill, funds available will mean councillors do not need to pay a cent.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage did not return a request for comment from Limerick Live.