Draft Budget 2026 revealed for this Kildare MD

The Draft Budget 2026 has been revealed by Kildare County Council (KCC) for one Municipal District (MD) located in County Kildare.

The figures were presented to councillors representing the Athy MD on Monday, October 20 last.

At this meeting, KCC prefaced the presentation of the Draft Budget 2026 by noting that the draft had previously been circulated to the councillors of the MD.

A senior member of KCC, Eileen Hanlon, went into detail on the figures for the councillors at the meeting.

Ms Hanlon, who is KCC's manager for Finance, Digital Services, Innovation and Governance, told the attendees that there was an increase of €213,000, with €91,000 relating to retained Local Property Tax (LPT) — "This is in line with the guidelines," Ms Hanlon added.

She also pointed out an overall increase in the areas of local roads maintenance and street cleaning, at over €91,000.

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In addition, there was an increase in the parks and landscaping budget, at €30,000.

Ms Hanlon went on to say that when it came to paid parking, there was a reduction in surplus compared to last year.

"An estimated €48,000 can be spent on road works," she added.

It was also heard that €50,000 would be directed to the running of the recently reopened Shackleton Experience.

Ms Hanlon also noted that there will be a review of the paid parking Bye-Laws due soon, adding: "Hopefully it will allow for an additional increase, but that won't be for a while."

Following her general outline of the Draft Budget 2026, the floor was opened to questions and statements from the MD's representatives.

Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin thanked Ms Hanlon and her staff, telling her that organising the draft "was not an easy thing to do".

She also asked Ms Hanlon if the draft budget for public realm works in the MD covered Emily Square, to which Ms Hanlon replied that Emily Square does fall under this category.

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The Mayor of the MD, Fine Gael Ivan Keatley, joked: "I can't see that much bad news [in the Draft Budget] this year!"

This led Ms Hanlon to deliver some less than fortunate news for the MD: she said that there were "serious concerns" from KCC regarding the Tenant in Situ scheme within the MD.

"It is no longer forthcoming for 2026," she added.

Ms Hanlon also said that KCC had to pay for Resident Zoned Land costs within the MD last year, and went on to say that would be no funding available for it next year.

According to Ms Hanlon, this particular section in the draft is expected to cost "over half a million euro".

In addition, she said that no funding was available for the Kerdiffstown Landfill Operation.

Ms Hanlon then went on to say that building costs within the MD would increase. However, she also said that an additional increase from new businesses would generate around €1.7 million.

She concluded her statement by noting that the Draft Budget would be finalised at a full KCC meeting on November 17, 2025.

Labour Party Cllr Mark Leigh motioned to accept the draft figures, while Mayor Keatley seconded his motion.

This suggestion was approved by the MD's councillors.

Mayor Keatley also said: "It is positive news overall."

He further noted the "increase in services" throughout the MD and added that the MD will look into what it can do with its LPT next year.

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