I am calling on the Government to put in place a Stability Fund to support local authorities as a matter of urgency.
Local authority incomes have been slashed because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Many local authorities will run out of cash with the sharp decline in rates, planning fees, rents from social houses and other incomes.
There is no certainty as to when income will flow again. Meanwhile we need our local authorities to deliver essential services.
It is estimated that local authorities will need €1.5 billion to meet the shortfall over the next year.
An immediate Stability Fund is urgently needed to keep local authorities functioning.
We rely more and more on our local authorities to deliver services that we mostly take for granted but it is essential that they continue to be provided.