KCC May meeting preview

Kildare County Council will debate a broad range of housing, community safety, public health, environmental and innovation issues at its full council meeting on 25 May 2026, writes Brian Byrne.

Among the housing motions, Cllr William Durkan and colleagues will propose a system allowing applicants to see their position on the social housing waiting list, while Cllr Aoife Breslin and others will call for higher income limits for social housing eligibility in Kildare, arguing that rising house prices and rents have put existing thresholds out of step with local realities. The council is expected to seek action from the Minister for Housing on that issue.

A number of community-focused proposals are also on the agenda. Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer will seek a social media awareness campaign to tackle littering caused by discarded chewing gum, while Cllr Donna Phelan wants parking permits for Public Health Nurses carrying out home visits. Cllr Pat Balfe will call for a review of road safety in rural residential areas.

Other motions include a proposal from Cllr Tom McDonnell for a report on supports or grants previously awarded to vape-related businesses, alongside a suggestion that such businesses should be excluded from future funding. Cllr Brian O’Loughlin will ask the council to examine low-level motion-sensor public lighting in semi-urban areas, and Cllr Angela Feeney will seek more localised, in-camera Garda briefings for municipal district members.

The meeting will also consider a proposal from Cllr Rob Power to explore an AI in Public Services Strategy, with any pilot projects aimed at improving council services and enhancing — rather than replacing — human interaction.

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