Councillors in Leitrim have passed the draft budget for the year ahead.
The funding will be spent on the likes of housing, roads and major tourism projects in the county in 2026.
Commercial rates will also increase by 5 per cent in Co Leitrim next year with the rise signed off by a majority of councillors today.
Elected members gathered at Áras an Chontae this morning along with members of the council executive.
The budget — which will see the authority spending approximately €64 million — represents an increase of around 6.5 per cent compared to 2025.
This also represents a 99 per cent increase in the last ten years.
2026 sees major commitments in terms of housing upgrades, with around €700,000 allocated to improving the energy-efficiency of homes, and a three-per-cent uplift in investment in local road upgrades.
There’s also an increase in funding for road maintenance and resurfacing, with particular attention on rural and local routes that have seen heavy winter wear.
Community and recreation projects are also set to benefit — including support for tidy towns initiatives, outdoor amenities and small business growth schemes aimed at revitalising Leitrim’s towns and villages.
Council officials say the rise in overall expenditure reflects inflation pressures and the need to sustain core services such as waste collection, housing maintenance and environmental protection.
It also emerged during the meeting that Leitrim County Council is the most dependent local authority on state funding.
The draft budget is now out for public consideration and will be finalised in due course — with full implementation set for the financial year ending 31 December 2026.
