Improving policy and services through data-driven evidence: The role of the Local Government Management Agency

The use of administrative data to generate evidence that influences policy and operational decisions is increasing. This article examines the role of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in strengthening the capacity of the Irish local government sector to generate and apply data-driven evidence in policy development, implementation and service improvement. It focuses on the work of the LGMA Research Unit and Central Data Unit, and on the County and City Management Association Data Working Groups through which administrative, survey and operational data are translated into policy-relevant evidence. Drawing on examples from housing, homelessness, planning, customer service and climate action, the article shows how structured data governance, sectoral expertise and targeted dissemination can support trend analysis, identify regional variation, inform performance monitoring and shape policy responses. It argues that the value of data-led evidence depends not only on the quality of the data, but on the interpretive, institutional and relational processes through which evidence is validated, communicated and brought into policy arenas. The article concludes that combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative research and practitioner knowledge can strengthen evidence-informed policy-making and enhance the contribution of local authorities to national policy and service reform.