08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Local property tax rate in Wicklow decided for 2026
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 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.
Some of these projects include Ferrybank footpath repairs in Arklow, the construction of footpaths in Blessington Graveyard the repair of the Esplanade bandstand roof and painting of Victorian seatback at Bray Seafront and the refurbishment of toilets at Wicklow Seafront.
The issue was a source of heated debate among councillors during their monthly meeting on Monday, when Wicklow County Council chief executive Emer O' Gorman told members the tax intake helps to cover the cost of hiring new staff and providing a range of local council services, including libraries, public lighting, housing and community grant schemes.
'The council is not awash with money and the current model of local government does not empower local representatives to serve their constituents as we'd expect in other countries.'
'The current model of local government that was adopted in 2014 is here to stay. Call me cynical but I believe it's not going away, and I don't expect it to change anytime soon.'
'The public are always judging us on our performance. Extra outdoor staff will make the council more visible amongst the community. They will help us to fill gaps that exist in each of the districts.'
Fine Gael's Cllr Sylvester Bourke was the first member to support the motion, calling for the rate to stay put.
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'Given the high cost of living, I believe maintaining the current rate is the right move although I acknowledge this may pose a challenge for the council to draft future budgets'.
Echoing those sentiments Social Democrats representative Cllr Danny Alvey said now is not the right time to raise the rate.
'I welcome the fact that some of these funds are being allocated to fund MD activities. Some of these activities have been very important for local communities in my district.'
In the end, 19 councillors voted in favour of keeping the same rate, 10 voted against it, while three were not present for the vote.
Independent voices in the chamber took aim at Fine Gael and the Social Democrats for supporting the motion, with Cllr Joe Behan branding the LPT as an 'outrageous form of double taxation'.
'Before 2014 exchequer funding helped to cover the costs of running the council. The move is wrong and unfair, I believe the deal was already done before today's debate.'
Fellow independent Cllr Tom Fortune said he doesn't agree to taxing the family home in principle.
He said he felt that the LPT has destroyed families since it was introduced in 2013.
'This vote isn't going to change anything,' he said. 'Councillors are being used but are entitled to their view. LPT is not a sustainable way to help fund the work of the council. The National Transport Authority already controls a lot of the money that will be ringfenced with no real say in how it's used.'
'The proposal is crazy, we're playing silly games and arm-wrestling with council officials This debate is a complete waste of time, the way local government is being run is disgraceful.' he added.
Cllr Peir Leonard acknowledged the council needs money to operate but singled out people in Wicklow who are struggling with the cost of living, 'some of them in silence'.
'How sustainable is the model of LPT going forward with the current housing market?' she asked.
'Especially with the lack of supply in Arklow.'
Her district colleague Cllr Miriam Murphy expressed her disappointed that only three submissions were received during a public consultation on the matter.
Cllr Gerry O'Neill queried why there was no mention of where money could be saved, believing that funds have been 'wasted' on certain projects, using the stalled Blessington Greenway as an example.
Meanwhile Cllr John Snell criticised using an ordinary council meeting to review the situation saying, 'there are now winners here today, people are already suffering.'
Separately Sinn Féin's Cllr Dermot 'Daisy' O'Brien said people don't see the benefit of how the LPT is used, describing the levies imposed as extortionate.
'LPT is more like a bailout from central government, the move is very convenient as there is already quite a healthy government surplus.'
'The proposal to fund public sector pay is out of this world, I'm asking here today to reduce rate by 15 pc.'
Nobody seconded his proposal.
Following some testy exchanges, Labour's Cllr Paul O'Brien took the floor to restore some calm to proceedings.
'I commend Cllr Bourke and Cllr Alvey for their stance on the matter in council chamber here today. We all need to work together. During my year as chair, I always tried to make sure that everyone's voice was heard. Of course, everyone's entitled to their view but that doesn't mean we shouldn't treat each other with respect.
'All this cynical talk is nonsense. The LPT is a tax on the wealthy, and it's making a difference.
'The reality is that if LPT is reduced, local services in our county will suffer as a result.' he added.
Last week Wicklow County Council received word it will be allocated an additional €4,458,940 annually starting in 2026, allowing more flexibility and investment in local services and infrastructure.
The funding increase comes because of changes made to how LPT funds are allocated.
The changes are part of a broader Government reform of the LPT system, which also includes a revaluation of properties in November 2025 and a new requirement that additional retained funding be directed in part toward urban regeneration and local infrastructure improvements.
