# County Council
This year
2023
Most local authorities didn't collect any of the Derelict Sites Levy in 2022
14 local authorities didn’t impose any levy on the owners of over 300 derelict sites across the country.
Last year
2022
Ireland's first LGBT female mayor elected to post on South Dublin County Council
Fianna Fáil’s Emma Murphy joined the council in 2016.
All time
Development of almost 600 social and affordable homes at Dublin site one step closer after council votes to transfer land
Planning permission for the development was secured earlier this year.
"We have no say on what happens in our town": The true extent of tree felling by local authorities
The first part of Noteworthy’s in-depth investigation reveals that over 10,000 trees have been cut down by councils since 2015 with many having incomplete records.
Strategy and specialists in short supply when it comes to saving public trees
The second part of Noteworthy’s in-depth investigation explores the reasons behind tree cutting including a lack of policy and expertise.
'What price democracy?': Why most county councils keep their meetings offline
Just four of 31 local authorities offer webcasting of their proceedings.
Plans approved for €1 billion development in former ghost town Cherrywood
The developers say that it will be “the largest single urban development project in Ireland”.
Council told to pay Traveller family €20,000 after refusing them access to housing list
The council had deemed the family to not be ‘normally resident’ as they were illegally living in a caravan on private property.
Clare Co Council looking at idea of 'autonomous cars' to address rural transport issues
The council is exploring the concept of both an Uber-style system and the use of driverless cars and has gotten €25,000 in funding to do so.
Over €7 million paid out to cover cost of Storm Ophelia damage
Local authorities in Cork received €3 million to repair the damage done by the ex-hurricane Ophelia.
Family living without running water sue Donegal County Council after it deferred housing support
The Traveller family had been told that they presented a risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour.
High Court throws out case of homeless mother who was sleeping in a tent outside council building
The woman had argued the council had failed to provide her with emergency housing, but the local authority said it doesn’t have the necessary resources.
'Dr Seuss or a librarian in Cashel?': Council workers are having the craic on Twitter today
‘Our Council Day’ has been showcasing the work of firefighters, librarians and other behind-the-scenes employees.
Safety review of Donegal piers to begin after tragic death of family
Donegal County Council is to carry out the review.
Hackers tried to steal €4 million from Meath County Council
The attempt involved the theft of the identity of chief executive Jackie Maguire
Major traffic disruption in Galway after collapse of road drain in city centre
Three streets have been closed in the city following the collapse.
17 dogs, including 10 puppies, rescued from cramped cages at Rosslare Harbour
A female German Shepherd who was in pup gave birth hours after being rescued.
A Kerry coastal community is cut off following a cliff landslide
17 houses at Rossbeigh are inaccessible by road following major subsidence on the Cliff Road earlier this week.
Is this Ireland's daftest disabled parking space?
No, it’s a bus stop it seems. Not that that’s all that much better…
How much does your local council chief earn every year?
New figures show that 216 local authority staff earn over €100,000 a year…
Strike action at South Dublin County Council deferred after LRC intervention
Further industrial action, which resulted in the closure of council offices, was planned for tomorrow.
It's easier than you think to turn an empty building into a creative space
That’s according to the creators of a new ‘one-stop-shop’ DIY guide to creating live/work units in empty spaces.
How does your local council spend its money?
A new website gives a breakdown of how much each local authority in Ireland gets and where the money goes.
Council steps in to stop Adamstown becoming a 'ghost' town
One councillor said he hoped the changes will help kick-start sustainable development in the area.
Local authorities issue 99 mortgage approvals this year
If you have been turned down for a bank loan you can apply for a loan from your local authority.
Local Government Fund expenditure estimated at €1.21bn this year
The General Purpose Grant that funds the day-to-day activities of local councils has been steadily falling for most councils for the last three years.
Clare council to text people about road closures, bad weather and more
The council is following in the lead of Cork City Council, which launched a weather alert system last year.
Motion of no confidence in Wicklow county manager after firefighter deaths fine
Last month a fine of €355,000 was handed down to the council over the 2007 deaths.
'Sinkholes' on Co Mayo strand pose "no danger" to public, council insists
Locals and campaigners from “Shell to Sea” erected homemade signs at Sruwaddacon Bay at the weekend to warn walkers of the phenomenon.
Labour has lost its core values, says resigning councillor
Bobby Fitzgerald said the policy being pursued by the national party is leading to “untold hardship”.
Developer ordered to complete Co Wicklow estate
An order was made by the Circuit Court this week on the issue. The local council has refused to refund bonds on three other developments completed by the developer.
Mixed response to Hogan's plans for local council cull
Political parties criticise plans to do away with town councils, but the response of others is a little more enthusiastic.
Councils will be able to set their own rate of property tax
Under the plans to reform local government unveiled today, different councils will be able to set different rates.
An Taisce says it saved State from €752m in impaired loans
The National Heritage body said its successful appeals against unsustainable planning applications over the past decade have saved the State between €505 – €752 million.
New York most popular St Patrick's Day trip for councillors
We know that Government ministers are heading far afield to spread green greetings this week – but so too are local councillors…
Councillor 'more than optimistic' about Harps' future after €20k motion is passed
Martin Harley has told TheScore.ie that the financial boost was not just important for the club, but for the wider Donegal community.
Davis will not follow Gallagher's lead of asking councils to drop support
Seán Gallagher has asked three councils to withdraw their support, so that they can nominate others – but Mary Davis won’t.
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