How does the council allocate funding between Kildare's towns and villages?

Transparency around funding decisions in the Kildare-Newbridge municipal district has been called into question as some councillors feel that certain areas are being left without adequate funding.

At a recent Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting, cllr Noel Heavey asked the council how funding decisions were made for community facilities across several towns in the county between 2019 and 2024, asking to outline the decision-making process for the allocation of money to playgrounds, public realm projects, and grants to community organisations in Caragh, Kilcullen, Kildare Town, Monasterevin, Milltown, Rathangan, and Newbridge.

The council responded that the decision process is largely shaped by community and public representative requests. Other determining factors include the size and location of the town, budget availability, and alignment with existing council strategies and policies. Further details highlighted that project selection is informed by broader council plans, including the County Development Plan and the Local Economic and Community Plan. 

“I’m not sure Newbridge is getting a fair crack of the whip,” said cllr Noel Heavey. He explained that a town as large as Newbridge should have “adequate spending” on community services. “It’s needs to be transparent that there’s a fairness."

Supporting the motion, cllr Chris Pender, offered that an audit of municipal district spending might be of help with transparency.

“We need to look at it in an overarching piece.” 

Council representatives explained that for the completion of community projects, councillrs can apply through grant schemes or consult with the community and have the project be “independently evaluated". 

The idea of the capital programme was also explained, in which community developments are made over a period of a couple of years.

“It’s important to acknowledge the size of Newbridge and the facilities required there,” said Eileen Hanlon, Manager of Finance, Digital Services, Innovation and Governance in Kildare County Council.

Cllr Heavey replied: “It isn’t clear to an ordinary person – indeed to a councillor – that there is fairness in distribution for community services. Transparency is important for people to have confidence that their community is being fairly treated."