The Mayor of Clare claims commercial rates have been raised “for the greater good of the county” but says the decision hasn’t been taken lightly.
The controversial measure is included in Clare County Council’s largest-ever revenue budget, which has been adopted by elected members at a special meeting this week.
The local authority’s 2026 budget marks the first time its projected expenditure has gone above €200 million.
Council Chief Executive Gordon Daly says the €204 million package makes it clear that the foremost priorities for the coming year are to “accelerate all forms of housing delivery and to increase investment in critical infrastructure across the county”.
€47 million has been allocated towards road transport and safety, while roughly the same amount has been set aside for housing and building.
In order to boost revenue, the decision has been taken to hike commercial rates by 8% which is expected to result in €3.5 million in income for local authority next year.
At the special meeting yesterday, Clare County Council’s Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise, Noeleen Fitzgerald made the point that 50 large businesses account for €2 million of this and that more than 75% of rate-payers will see a rise of less than €6 in their weekly amount owed.
In this context, she says she doesn’t believe it’s a particularly significant increase.
Speaking on Clare FM in advance of the adoption of the budget, co-owner of the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, Allen Flynn, said councillors must be “living in another reality” to think an 8% increase in rates is acceptable.
Mayor of Clare, Clarecastle Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy, insists all elected members are sensitive to the challenges faced by businesses.
Of the €47 million earmarked for housing in the budget, €15 million will go towards housing activation, maintenance and capital development, while €11 million will be used for housing grants.
Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes, who formally proposed the budget at the meeting, believes housing to be the key issue for the majority of the county’s residents.
You can listen to the full interview here:
