The Department of Local Government has approved a 1.3 million euro top up for Longford County Council to cover a shortfall in rates. The deficit comes from the lack of rates generated from the former Lough Ree Power Plant in Lanesborough. As part of the EU's Just Transition programme, the power station was originally set for closure in 2027, with that decision fast tracked and the plant closed in 2020. An agreement was made that the short fall would be covered until the original date of the planned closure.
However, the Department has been criticised for delays and uncertainty in having the top confirmed. Senator Micheál Carrigy has called for multi annual funding to be approved. The Fine Gael Senator says the uncertainty has prevented Longford County from long-term planning:
