The largest budget in the history of Galway County Council was unanimously approved by Elected Members at Áras an Chontae on Monday evening.
Budget 2024 allocates €173 million for the provision of essential services to residents, businesses, and visitors in the county and represents an increase of €15 million from the previous year.
Expenditure will be distributed across Galway County Council Directorates, with the Road Transport & Safety Directorate accounting for the largest spend.
As Ireland’s second largest county with a 6,513km regional and local road network, €58.2m is being allocated to the Directorate.
The other areas of expenditure are Housing & Building (€26.1m), Environmental Services (€25.2m), Water Services (€17.3m), Development Management (€16.4m), Miscellaneous Services (€16m), Recreation & Amenity (€11m), and Agriculture, Education, Health and Welfare (€2.9m).
Councillor Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council said, “I wish to congratulate the Chief Executive, staff of the Finance Department, Corporate Policy Group and my fellow elected representatives for their pragmatic yet positive approach to formulating and approving this Budget”.
He added that the budget is aimed at creating “vibrant communities across the county” while supporting business and stimulating the economy.
Elected Members have also adopted Galway County Council’s projected capital expenditure of €193 million for 2024, the majority (€144.4m) of which is being allocated for Housing.
Housing expenditure will include house purchase loans, capital investment in local authority housing stock, Housing for All, and planned maintenance, major refurbishment and energy efficiency retrofit programmes.
The remainder of the capital expenditure is allocated for Infrastructure and Operations, Fire and Emergency Management (€30m), Economic Development and Planning (€16.3m).
Other expenditure is earmarked for Recreation & Amenity, the Environment Department, and Corporate Services, Facilities Management and Energy Efficiency.
Meanwhile, Galway County Council has confirmed that the rate on Local Property Tax (LPT) remains unchanged for 2024.
In relation to Commercials Rates, the Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV) remains at the level indicated in early 2023.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council commented, “I want to thank the Elected Members for adopting this expansionary Budget for 2024.”
He said that the increased funding in this year’s budget will allow the council to “efficiently and effectively” continue to deliver public services.
It will also, “Invest in vital infrastructure and further expand the housing, economic, community and environmental programmes that positively impact on the day-to-day lives of the people of County Galway.”
“Balancing the annual Budget is critically important and this was achieved this year due to the support of Elected Members and the work of the dedicated staff of the Local Authority,” explained Katie O’Connor, Head of Finance with Galway County Council.
She continued, “Our core focus has been on delivering a budget that ensures available funding is distributed equitably across the various Directorates and the county.”
“Based on our proposed 2024 Work Programme, we will see an increase in expenditure across all service areas when compared to 2023.”
