Wicklow councillors back €183m budget as housing and climate action take centre stage
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has adopted a €183 million budget for 2026, signing off on a significant increase in spending for housing, climate action and essential local services. The plan, approved after detailed debate, protects frontline services while directing substantial new funding towards community supports and environmental programmes.
Brian Gleeson, Head of Finance and recently appointed deputy Chief Executive at the local authority presented the details of the proposed accounts for the upcoming fiscal year, which provided for an expenditure of €183.2m, which represents an increase of €15m (or 9pc) on last year’s budget.
The increase is mainly because of increased funded leasing costs under Housing Payment and Availability schemes, extra provision for housing repairs and pre letting works, additional payroll costs for national pay agreements, as well as increases in key policy driven services such as climate action and energy conservation works.
The Draft Budget report highlights the reduced spending power Wicklow County Council experienced during the five-year period between 2020 and 2025, despite global inflation stabilising in 2025.
Notwithstanding this challenge, council officials believe the draft budget for 2026 represents “a positive outcome for Wicklow County Council in that it avoids any cuts to front line services, through the maximisation of existing resources, strong budgetary management, and securing higher levels of Government grant funding”.
Extra provisions have been made across all service divisions including priority areas of housing and climate action and energy reduction.
Earlier this year the elected members voted to maintain the Local Property Tax (LPT) rate at the 2025 level for the year ahead, after voting for an upward variation of the basic rate by 6pc, despite calls for a reduction.
Local authorities have the power to vary the basic LPT rate on residential properties in their area, by increasing or decreasing the local adjustment factor by up to 15pc.
The rate in Wicklow has remained unchanged for the past four years.
Councillors were informed at their monthly meeting in July that retaining the Local Property Tax (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.
The Municipal District Allocations totalling over €1 million were considered by the members under the Draft Budgetary Plan that was presented to them at their respective meetings held between the October 1 and November 14, 2025.
The 2026 allocation includes discretionary funding, town twinning, economic development, festivals, and civic reception funding allocations.
Additional income of €65,000 for the Bray Municipal District has been added to the discretionary fund allocation for 2026 as result of their previous decision to increase parking charges within their area.
All other municipal districts may also consider changes to the local charges applied in their district, with any increase or decrease in those charges impacting on the overall level of funding made available to the district.
A total of €65.8m is included in the budget for pay and pension costs, which represents an increase of €4.8m on the 2025 budgeted figure because of pay increases under the National Public Service Pay Agreement, the continued implementation of the Firefighters WRC agreement, the inclusion of full year costs for new staff recruited during 2025, and the application of annual increment payments.
The appointment of outdoor staff going forward will be linked to the Uisce Éireann transition, as it is likely that excess staff will arise under this process. At the end of the transition period in 2026 local authorities will cease to be involved in the public water system.
As part of the transition process a joint trade union/management water services forum comprising of management and union representatives has been established, chaired by the Director of HR Services, to discuss and agree procedures to facilitate those staff who wish to reassign out of water services to other roles in the local authority.
In line with national priorities, Wicklow County Council’s main focus for Budget 2026 will focus on the areas of housing and climate action. Of the total Budget of €183m, nearly €69m or 38pc has been allocated for housing and building, which represents an increase of around €7m on the 2025 housing allocation.
In relation to climate change and energy initiatives the local authority is currently progressing its Climate Action Plan which was adopted by the elected members in January 2025. An amount of €580,000 has been included in the 2026 Budget to implement priority actions within the climate plan as well the newly drafted Biodiversity Plan.
The recently announced Community Climate Action Programme will also provide €646,000 in funding to assist community, voluntary, and non-profit groups in delivering local climate and biodiversity projects across the county.
Other adjustments made across the divisions for 2026 include an increased allocation by €20,000 to €140,000 for the Community Grant Scheme. Library Book Fund expenditure remains unchanged at €300,000 while €134,000 is being set aside for the establishment of the Local Community Safety. Partnership which replaces the previous Joint Policing Committee.
Following a vote, a proposal to revert the vacancy abatement rate for Film/TV Studios from 20pc to 60pc was rejected with 12 for, 19 against, and 1 not present. The move would relate to the vacant periods between series/films or seasons.
It is estimated that the introduction of this scheme would have cost a maximum of €97,000 per annum, however those who voted against the proposal didn’t believe the sector deserved preferential treatment over other others, despite the huge amount of income it generates for the county.
Councillors instead voted to maintain the 20pc rate across the board by a margin of 30 for, 1 against and 1 not present.
After a brief recess to discuss proposed changes to the rates incentive scheme, where council staff conferred with their colleagues, the meeting reconvened with universal approval to the change. The change means the maximum grant range will be increased from €500 up to €650 at a cost of €150,000.
The scheme currently provides grants of between 5pc and 7pc as a financial support to occupiers of commercial properties with a total annual commercial rates bill of up to €10,000.
Budget 2026 has removed the lower discount rate of 5pc and maximum grant of €250 and instead will apply one discount rate of 7pc along with the higher maximum level of €350.
Nearly 90pc of ratepayers currently operating in County Wicklow are considered small and medium businesses and are eligible for this incentive scheme.
The 32 elected members of Wicklow County Council voted in favour of the budget at Monday’s meeting, with 30 councillors voting in favour, and 2 not present.
Councillors also agreed to retain the rate of valuation at 0.224, with 30 voting in favour, 1 not present and 1 abstaining.
Reflecting on the Draft Annual Budget Meting, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr Melanie Corrigan paid tribute to all those involved in getting the draft budget over the line.
“A lot of work has gone into these documents, so I appreciate all the work that you have done. Thank you all very much. And again, members for all your discussions and negotiations and all the team.”