Calls for fairer funding as Wicklow councillors warn of budget strain across districts

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Elected members at Wicklow County Council have expressed concern over rising costs and parking pressures as municipal districts across the county hold their preliminary meetings to discuss the 2026 budget.

The county’s annual budget process involves three primary stages.

The first stage, a decision on the Local Property Tax (LPT) rate, has already been completed, with councillors voting to maintain the current 6pc rate, which has remained unchanged for the past four years.

The next two stages are the consideration of the municipal district draft budgets, as reflected in recent meetings, and the adoption of the overall Wicklow County Council budget next month.

Councillors were informed that retaining the LPT at its 6pc variation rate would provide an additional €1.4m in discretionary funding, with Wicklow, Greystones, Arklow and Baltinglass Municipal Districts due €263,901 each and Bray Municipal District receiving €351,868.

The funding is then ring-fenced for discretionary use by the elected members of the five Municipal Districts which help to support a variety of local projects including footpath repairs, public realm initiatives and supporting local community organisations and festivals.

As a result of changes to how LPT funds are allocated, Wicklow County Council will also receive an additional €4,458,940 annually starting in 2026, providing greater flexibility and investment in local services and infrastructure.

Wicklow County Council’s director of finance Brian Gleeson told councillors that finalised numbers will be confirmed at the full county budget meeting in November.

All municipal district budget drafts remain provisional. Final allocations will be confirmed when elected members convene on November 24, 2025, to adopt Wicklow County Council’s full 2026 budget.

Draft budget figures were raised as an item of business during some of the district meetings throughout October.

The Baltinglass Municipal District recorded an increased expenditure of €28,251 on figures for 2025.

At the district’s draft budget meeting, Cllr Patsy Glennon said the allocation is frustrating, contending that the west is playing on an unfair playing pitch with other continents, sentiments echoed by Cllr Avril Cronin who says the infrastructure is not up to scratch, with no arts centre or leisure centres.

The area receives the least amount of funding under that formula, despite being “one of the highest trafficked areas in the county”. Cllr Glennon said.

In response, Mr Gleeson explained the west receives the smallest allocation because other areas generate their own income, highlighting the sponsorship of roundabouts as an example.

Cllr Glennon believes there is not enough infrastructure to consider parking charges or sponsorship of roundabouts in the district.

Cllr Jason Mulhall believes the budget is not equitable for the area.

In response Mr Gleeson said other districts have higher funding because costs are higher.

The Greystones Municipal District meeting discussion focused heavily on the number of staff working on the ground. Cllr Stephen Stokes described the situation as being “inheritably unfair” the lack of staff working in the district and called for the council to pay costs.

Cllr Tom Fortune said the area is grossly under funded with only 12 outdoor staff, labelling it “disgraceful” how local government is funded and managed.