Local authorities support the Cathaoirleach (chair person) and mayor by managing invitations to functions, hosting delegations and civic receptions, and supporting the official business of the office.
Local authorities may provide financial support to community and voluntary groups and local development companies for small infrastructural projects in eligible disadvantaged rural areas. These projects must support schools, community safety measures, the development of play and multi use game areas, and community wellbeing projects.
Local authorities support councillors in their role as elected representatives and policy makers by providing information about day to day local authority services, responding to questions and notices of motion, and supporting their work on council committees.
Local authorities provide information and advice to the public, community and voluntary groups, business owners and schools about fire safety and prevention, fire regulation, building standards, and fire and emergency response.
Local authorities may charge those who benefit from the response of the fire service to domestic and commercial fires, chimney fires, road traffic accidents and false alarm incidents.
Local authorities provide information and advice to those interested in becoming fulltime or retained firefighters including details of the application requirements and recruitment process.
Local authorities manage local elections where successful candidates are elected to the council to represent their community as councillors for five years.
Local authorities prepare plans to identify electoral areas, electoral divisions, polling districts and townlands for Dáil (national parliament) and local elections, and the appointed polling place for each polling district. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.
Local authorities publish a public register of all eligible and registered people entitled to vote in local, national and European elections and referenda.