Largest-ever annual budget approved for Meath as council signs off on €258m plan
The largest-ever annual budget has been approved for Meath after councillors voted for a spending plan of more than €258m for 2026 — an 11.5pc increase on last year and the first time the county’s budget has exceeded €250m.
Since 2019, the annual budget has increased by 108pc, which the council said has brought new services, enhanced service levels and provided “additional human and financial resources in critical and emerging areas”.
The 2026 budget was adopted at a Meath County Council meeting on November 24. A central element of the plan is a 10pc increase in commercial rates — the first rise since 2008, when Meath’s budget stood at €107m. Ratepayers with bills under €20,000 will not be affected.
The local authority said the additional revenue will be “set aside” for urban and rural regeneration projects, ensuring that towns, villages and communities across Meath benefit from improved infrastructure, upgraded public spaces and expanded economic opportunities. Funding will also support a number of new road safety measures.
Housing will account for the single largest share of expenditure, with over €80m — 31pc of the total budget — allocated for 2026. This will fund land bank acquisitions for future housing delivery, the administration of the council’s homeless service, and the maintenance and improvement of local authority housing.
Roads and transport will receive more than €69m, representing 27pc of the overall budget. The funding will support road maintenance, rural route improvements and a series of targeted road safety initiatives.
Economic development funding will rise to almost €4.8m, an increase of €243,411 on last year, with continued focus on leveraging national and EU-backed programmes and building on initiatives such as the Thrive Centre of Business Excellence.
Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said: ““This budget allows us to continue to innovate, collaborate and lead in the provision of initiatives, services, and infrastructure that will enhance the quality of life of all our residents, and support the ongoing growth and wellbeing of our communities.”
Director of Services for Finance Fiona Lawless said the decision to propose a rate increase “was not taken lightly” but reflects the realities of “unprecedented challenges and international instability”.
"This increase is not about today; it is about safeguarding Meath’s future, and this is why we took the additional decision of ensuring our smaller businesses with commercial rates below €20,000 are unaffected by the rate increase,” she said.
“We want growth that is sustainable so that we can provide all the services our expanding population deserves."
An Cathaoirleach Cllr Wayne Harding said the budget will help ensure the objectives set out in the council’s five-year Corporate plan “continue to be worked towards, while ensuring our county remains a vibrant place to live, work in and visit.”