Kilkenny County Council today adopted its Budget for 2024. The Budget provides for funding of €111.1m, an increase of 12.5% compared to 2023.
The Budget provides funding across the full range of service areas provided by the Council from social housing and road maintenance through to street cleaning, fire, libraries, burial grounds, parks to economic and community development. The level of funding available ensured that the vast majority of expenditure allocations were maintained at 2023 levels and increases were possible in areas such as housing maintenance, housing grants, local roads maintenance, fire services and library services.
The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Michael Doyle in welcoming the budget stated:
“As Elected Members we are acutely aware that the services we deliver as a Council impact the quality of life of the citizens of Kilkenny. While some difficult decisions had to be made I am pleased to say there are no cuts to funding next year for the delivery of services and budget increases have been possible in some areas which will have a very positive impact on those services.”
The Chief Executive Lar Power and Head of Finance Martin Prendiville outlined the challenges being faced by the Council and while it was possible to avoid expenditure cuts for the coming year, this will not be sustainable into the medium term and additional income sources will be needed to keep pace with the expenditure demands in the provision of an ever-increasing range of services. Mr. Power stated this budget makes provision to tackle areas such as Climate Change and dereliction, and these two areas will require even more funding into the future.
The reduction in the commercial rate vacancy strike-off is an important measure in implementing government policy on dereliction. Mr. Power also stated that the Council has a very ambitious capital programme and significant additional match funding will be required as a number of projects are now being delivered.
In proposing the budget Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh stated:
“This is a very positive budget for Kilkenny. Expenditure on all our core services has been maintained and increases in areas such as housing maintenance, roads maintenance, libraries and fire services are very welcome. The funding allocated to climate change and town regeneration is also a very positive step forward for the County.”
Cllr. Andrew McGuinness in seconding the proposal to adopt the budget said:
“The adoption of the annual budget is one of the most important functions we have to carry out and I am delighted that funding in all our service areas has been maintained for 2024 and we continue to make provision for the future development of our City and County. This has been achieved without the necessity to increase commercial rates on businesses”.
