merrion street

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD and the Minister of State for Planning and Local Government Peter Burke TD have announced a further package of financial support for local authorities.

Over the course of 2021, the local government sector played a key role in the national effort to combat Covid-19 and to support communities dealing with the impacts on the ground. This included extra outdoor facilities, pedestrianisation, removal of parking, supporting the vaccination programme and various local well-being initiatives.

In recognition of the work of local authorities and the additional costs they incurred across the country, the Government has approved a funding package of €61m towards some of these costs.

This brings the total Covid-19 related financial support to local authorities in 2021 to €559m.

It includes;

• €435m for the 2021 rates waiver that applied from January to September;
• €62.3m for the limited waiver that applies for the rest of 2021, targeting hospitality and entertainment in particular;
• €61.6m towards income losses and extra costs associated with the pandemic

Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “Local authorities have played a major role in 2021 as we continue to deal with the pandemic and I would like to re-iterate the Government’s support for the sector and the communities they serve. The funding support provided by the Government means the local government sector won’t be at a loss or having to make ‘either’ ‘or’ decisions when it comes to providing vital services for people and to ensure that services such as playgrounds, sports facilities and library services can keep operating.”

Minister of State Burke added: “In order for communities across Ireland to continue to benefit from the services and supports provided by local authorities, both in the normal course of events and those extra supports related to the pandemic, I believe that it was incumbent on us to acknowledge the work of the local government sector and to provide practical support for these efforts.  Local Authorities have operated under difficult circumstances again this year, with their income from services such as parking severely impacted due to the pandemic.  We are glad to secure an additional budget to ease the financial burden on Local Authorities and to ensure they can continue providing frontline services to members of the public.”

ENDS