Which charities did Waterford councillors choose to use public money to support?
The 2026 General Municipal Allocations.
The fairness of the system, by which councillors can use council funding to donate to local charities of their choice, was called into question at a recent meeting. Known as the General Municipal Fund, councilllors can choose to allocate up to €10,000 to support a community group or charity of their choosing.
Independent Councillor Dónal Barry, who did not use his discretionary funds in 2025 or 2026, said: "While the intention may be to support communities, the outcome is not always fair. Some groups receive funding multiple times. Others — just as deserving — receive nothing.”
He said the system also makes it difficult for people trying to enter politics, “When councillors are seen to hand out funding, it builds goodwill. It builds recognition. And whether intended or not, it creates political advantage.”
The Waterford News & Star saw the full list of all the elected councillors in the county’s General Municipal Allowance spending.
Assisi House, a senior social centre based in Waterford City, received the most money, getting a cumulative €9,000 from Joe Kelly, Eamon Quinlan, Frank Quinlan, Jim Griffin and Seamus Ryan.
All of the Metropolitan District Councillors allocated their money to individual charities except for Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Adam Wyse, who allocated €9,999 for first aid supplies for ‘various groups'. It is understood that this funding will go towards funding AED defibrillators for various places. Cllr Jason Murphy ensured the St. Paul’s community was well looked after, allocating a total of €5,000 to St. Paul’s Boxing Club, St. Paul’s FC and St. Paul's Parish Church Fr Pat Fitzgerald Jubilee Clock.
The breadth of the organisations included was large – 62 in total. Cllr David Daniels allocated €1,750 to the Dunmore East Men’s Shed. Cllr Sandra Conway allocated €3,000 to the Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage Committee, and Cllr Pat Fitzgerald allocated €5,000 to St Vincent de Paul Waterford.
Cllr Lola O’Sullivan focused her allocations on public works projects. She allocated €5,500 to Fenor playground and €2,000 to Newtown & Guillamene Swimming Club.
Mayor Cllr Seamus Ryan and Cllr Mary Roche allocated €2,000 each to Pride of the Déise.
