Council initiative to increase diversity in local government

GOVERNMENT support is being provided to Clare County Council as part of a nationwide campaign to encourage more women and people from diverse backgrounds to seek election to local government.

Initial funding of €9,000 has been allocated to the council to provide a range of initiatives to increase diversity at local government level and Clare Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey has said that this is part of an overall move towards equality of representation.

“A record 681 female candidates stood in the June local elections, representing an increase of almost 18 per cent on the previous elections in 2019, while the number of migrant candidates participating almost doubled. 

“It is my hope that with this funding we can capitalise on that enthusiasm and begin to see major shifts in the makeup of the council chamber, making it more reflective of modern Ireland”, Ms Carey explained.

“The work of Clare County Council has a powerful and direct impact on the places we live and the lives of those who live there. It is therefore of the utmost importance that it is fully reflective of our communities in all their diversity. 

“A variety of projects have been selected for support under the scheme being announced today, including social media training for councillors, International Women’s Day events, information sessions for TY students and funding for local level women’s caucuses.

“The future for women in politics is increasingly bright. In Fine Gael, every sitting female TD has been promoted to ministerial roles, with talented, highly skilled women now making up over 40 per cent of the ministers in our Cabinet.

“Paired with the funding of announced today, we aim to make the most of the great progress seen in terms of candidacy in June. 

“It is my hope that through our shared efforts we can see a truly representative local government by the next local elections in 2029,” Ms Carey concluded.