Waterford council budget increases to €207 million for 2026
The council's primary source of income now comes from Government grants.
Waterford City and County Council’s budget spend for 2026 has risen to €207 million, a 7% increase on 2025’s figure.
The budget was passed on November 26, with councillors across the chamber praising the budget as "progressive".
Many welcomed an increased spend of €2.4 million on housing, with €57.4 million now dedicated towards housing maintenance, increased provision for housing grants and continued focus on rent collection to reduce arrears.
“This Budget is about building on Waterford’s success and ensuring that we continue to deliver the high-quality services our citizens and businesses expect,” said Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Seamus Ryan.
“It reflects our ambition to strengthen Waterford as the best place to live, work, invest and visit. This is a fair, balanced and responsible Budget. It protects the Council’s financial stability and enhances the delivery of key services for our communities.”
Many decried the increase in commercial rates on businesses, which will now rise 3.5%.
Social Democrat Mary Roche proposed diverting €1.26 million worth of funding in the budget to allow commercial rates to stay static. Cllr. Roche’s proposal was not seconded, with a call to take away €180,000 from road spending met with vocal disapproval from the chamber.
Road expenditure in the budget will total €53 million. An additional €4.56 million will be allocated to local projects compared to 2025’s spend.
The budget increased spending on festivals and events by €250,000, libraries and parks, pitches and open spaces by €200,000 each, and arts development by €80,000.
Additional funding for new public toilet facilities in Waterford City and Dungarvan was also widely welcomed by councillors.
“All businesses have to survive, but Waterford City and County Council, in that context, is also a business. We have a certain envelope of money to use, and there are certain commitments,” said Independent Councillor Joe Kelly.
Councillor Kelly said that the budget “evenly distributed the money in a fair way”.
Labour’s Thomas Phelan pointed out that if the council failed to pass the budget, the council would be dissolved, causing an “irresponsible blow to local democracy”.
“I very much welcome that the budget includes funding for fees and other improvements, such as to develop changing spaces for people with disabilities… I believe this is a positive budget,” Cllr. Phelan said.
Government grants now make up the majority of the council’s income, providing 44% of funding to the council - a 50% rise from the last eight years. Income from commercial rates and local property tax dropped to 20% and 11% respectively.
Questions of the funding of Mount Congreve Gardens also resurfaced. Mount Congreve has received over €2.3 million from the council. Some councillors voiced concern that the gardens could become a fiscal black hole.
Sinn Féin councillor John Hearne said local taxpayers were getting poor value from the gardens.
“I think it’s important that we progress on Mount Congreve and get that out of our pay next year, and we’ll have more money again," Cllr. Hearne said.
Independent Cllr Joe O’Riordan questioned why the council could continue to support Mount Congreve while not providing relief to retailers facing rising rates.
Chief executive of the council Sean McKeown said a new proposal for Mount Congreve will be brought forward to councillors in the new year.
