LAST week, the 40 recently elected Fingal County Councillors agreed a budget for 2015.
Assisted by a buoyancy of an extra
?¬2 million from commercial rates, a
?¬2 million surplus from the Local Property Tax and
?¬1 million from Non Principle Private Residence (NPPR) arrears, as well as savings in spending of
?¬2.1 milliion in 2014, Budget 2015 includes
?¢
?¬2.8 million extra spending on Housing & Building
?¢
?¬1.25 million extra funding for traffic calming, local roads, parks and pitches
?¢
?¬1 million for Swords Castle and development of a cultural quarter in Swords
?¢
?¬500,000 upgrade works for Malahide and Newbridge Demesnes
?¢
?¬500,000 for better public lighting
?¢
?¬300,000 for better community facilities and
?¢
?¬175,000 for extra events including a St Patrick’s Day Parade for Dublin 15.
Speaking after the budget meeting at Malahide Castle, chief executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, said he was positive about the economic outlook.
“I reminded councillors that the signs of economic recovery are very real and very welcome and beginning to be evident locally in Fingal,
? said Mr Reid.
“Exports are up and ahead of expectation, employment is up and unemployment will fall below 10 per cent next year.
“The Irish economy will grow faster than most other economies in Europe in 2015.
“More businesses are operating in Fingal today and only recently Local Enterprise Office (LEO)
Fingal approved
?¬250,000 in funding to new business creating 23 new jobs immediately and 43 jobs in 2015.
?
“Planning applications are up by 25 per cent and the construction industry is re-emerging with 30 active residential building sites in Fingal today.
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Meanwhile, Malachy Quinn, a Sinn Fein councillor for the Balbriggan Local Electoral Area (LEA), said he was concerned with the reduction of
?¬52,400 to the council’s tourism budget.
“Fingal’s tourism potential provides an opportunity for the council to develop organic growth across the entire county which would benefit job creation and entrepreneurial development,
? said Cllr Quinn.
“Investment in such projects as the Balbriggan Maritime Museum, the Dublin 15 Tourism initiative, Bremore Castle and Swords Castle is a great opportunity to promote growth within the county.
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