A new CEO of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) took up position on 2nd January 2025. Pauline Mulligan is a former Assistant Secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Her most recent role was Head of Indigenous Enterprise Development with responsibility for oversight of Enterprise Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, the nine Regional Enterprise Plans and support schemes for business run through the local authorities.

The LGMA is the state agency that provides a range of professional services for and on behalf of local authorities; local authority chief executives; the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and other government departments.

In a press release issued by the LGMA, Ms Mulligan said: “The services provided by local authorities play a central role in the everyday lives of everyone living in this country. I look forward to leading the team at the LGMA to ensure that we continue to be a valued and trusted support for the local government sector, providing a shared centre of excellence in leading sectoral approaches to the development and expansion of exemplary local public services.”

Head of the union’s Local Government and Local Services and Municipal Employees Divisions Richy Carrothers said: “We have written to the new CEO congratulating her on her appointment and seeking early engagement. We look forward to developing a constructive relationship.”

“Without our members local authorities would not be able to function. Their work deserves to be respected and celebrated. The LGMA, as the state agency with responsibility for local authorities, must recognise their vital role.”

Richy continued “There are many challenges across the 31 city and county councils, not least the very real issues around recruitment and retention. Job evaluation has been an ongoing issue in this sector for a long time and we simply must finalise this issue now. Productive talks in December have paved the way for agreement early this year, and we hope the new CEO shares our view that job evaluation will be good for workers and for employers.”

Fórsa and the LGMA will reconvene at the WRC on 24th January to discuss both parties’ written assessments and views of identified job evaluation schemes.

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