Housing takes up largest chunk of draft 2026 budget

CARLOW County Council unveiled the draft local authority budget for 2026 at its recent budget meeting. The total expenditure included in the budget allocation amounts to €83.3 million, an increase of €1.9 million on 2025.

Housing took up the largest chunk of that expenditure figure, with a total provision of €27 million.

Within that, €2.9 million is included for the housing maintenance programme, while €2.5 million is included for the Croí Cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant.

There was also an increased provision of €527,000 in the budget for the three municipal districts, with particular emphasis given to the maintenance of parks and other open spaces. This additional allocation, which follows on from increases in 2024 and 2025, comes because of funding secured under the local property tax baseline review in 2023.

Carlow Municipal District has been allocated €1.87 million, with €1.21 million going to Muinebheag MD and €1.28 million to Tullow MD.

Chief executive of Carlow County Council Coilín O’Reilly thanked all members of the council for their role in advancing the annual budget, in particular members of the corporate policy group and the council’s finance department.

Mr O’Reilly added: “This council like all local authorities is again facing significant challenges in 2026 due to demands for enhanced and expanded services, the impact of inflation in the procurement of goods and services and additional pay costs.

“In addition, match funding requirements are projected to increase significantly in line with the capital investment programme. Additional funding opportunities at a local level, including commercial rates, will be key enablers going forward to maintain the council on a firm financial footing and to stimulate economic growth.” 

 Additionally, the council was allocated €9.214 million in local property tax by the Department of Housing for 2026.

At the council meeting held on 14 July 2025, the members resolved to vary the basic rate of local property tax by +15% for the years 2026-2029, which will bring an additional income of €669,837 in 2026.

Other notable figures from the draft budget include €17.34 million for road transportation and €11.95 million for environmental protection, recycling, litter control, emergency services and pollution control.

The meeting concluded with a roll call vote to approve the 2026 draft budget, with 16 councillors voting in favour, while cllr Adrienne Wallace and cllr John Cassin abstained.