12. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has plans to increase local government funding in areas of rapid population growth, such as Kildare north, to meet its demands, as it directly affects the levels of service provisions that can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35893/25]

Sentiment score: 0.20

My question for the Minister of State today is on behalf of the people of north Kildare, and indeed the entire county of Kildare. What plans does the Department have to increase local government funding to County Kildare, considering its rapid population growth, to meet its demands? The demands of the people there have been directly affected by the decrease in the provision of services.

Sentiment score: 0.15

I thank the Minister of State. The simple fact is that the population of Kildare has increased by 50% in the last 20 years. Although the State has grown, Kildare and especially north Kildare has outpaced that and grown rapidly. Unfortunately, the delivery of funding to the local government in Kildare, Kildare County Council, has not been kept at the same pace. That means we do not have the delivery of facilities we should have and which nearby counties have. Kildare has been at the lowest spend per capita among the councils in all other counties. It has been behind in how services are delivered. Obviously, there is always the debate that more can be done from within the councils themselves but, ultimately, funding is a key aspect. I welcome the point the Minister of State made about the LPT and how we can maybe keep more funding within rapidly growing county councils. I look forward to hearing his further detail on that.

Sentiment score: 0.05

I wholeheartedly welcome that number and €5 million extra per year is welcome news. I am also conscious that the LPT is ultimately paid by the people in the county. Much of that money is hard earned and it is welcome that we are now in a position where more of it can be retained. This money will go back towards the playgrounds, the parks and the delivery of basic services that we have all around the county. We know that we need to do more. The population is growing. Our estates are full. We can discuss a lot about housing in places like Leixlip, Maynooth, Clane, Naas and Kilcock, where a lot of houses are being built, but with this housing we need services. Every extra bit of LPT that we can retain in the county is welcome. The news is good tonight but I will keep fighting for the cause of the people of north Kildare, because I know we have been behind. Hopefully, I can continue to be able to raise these issues and to push on behalf of the people of the county.

Sentiment score: 0.19