Fingal County Council has agreed to a spending plan of around €300m for 2022, an increase of €13 from the previous year.
Approved by the councillors, the €299.8m budget “budget will enable the council to continue to provide the high level of services that have come to be expected in Ireland’s youngest county,” according to the local authority.
“There are significant increases in the budget to help deliver a range of operational services across local communities,” it says.
These include road maintenance, traffic management, increased street cleaning, improvement works at parks and open spaces, as well as for projects as part of the council’s efforts to encourage active travel.
Some €1.2m has also been set aside to assist the recovery and development of the tourism sector in Fingal.
Speaking after it’s approval, mayor of Fingal, councillor Seána Ó Rodaigh said: “This is a very positive and well-balanced budget which will play an important role in Fingal’s ongoing economic recovery.
“It confirms that we are committed to undertaking the necessary steps to help progress the best possible outcomes from our citizens and that we can continue to encourage business development opportunities.
“In doing so, we have once again been able to increase the services and support available for the people of Fingal, something which is testament to the excellent work of the Council’s leadership team and its staff.
“They have been at the frontline of our efforts to deliver our key priorities in order to make Fingal a great place in which to live, work and invest.”
Fingal County Council chief executive AnnMarie Farrelly said the council wants to initiate new projects across the county.
“In bringing this budget to council we wanted to ensure that we would not only be able to enhance the services we provide, but also be in a position to deliver several new initiatives that will benefit and support our communities,” she said.
“I am particularly grateful for the high level of engagement afforded to us by the elected members across the year as we kept them updated on the strategic issues we have faced and as we looked to shape our vision for the future.
“We have a great opportunity to enhance the quality of life for our citizens and also improve the way we deliver our services to meet their changing needs.
“A budget of nearly €300m goes some way to helping support our local businesses and ensures that we can provide our towns and communities across the county the right environment to thrive.”
The budget includes allocations to key areas such as €89.1m for housing, €32.7m for roads and transport, €19.4m for water services, €49.4m for environmental services, and €52.3m for recreation and amenities.
Development management, agriculture, education, and miscellaneous services are also included.
“While there was a reduced number of events held in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, funding allocated for 2022 will allow Fingal to host several key events which had been postponed or cancelled throughout the pandemic and means it will be able to further develop its culture and arts programme,” the council says.
“That will see the highly popular Flavours of Fingal return in July 2022 and see further steps taken to develop key projects such as the Swords Cultural Quarter.
“These is also more funding available for heritage properties.”