Waterford City and County Council Adopts Budget 2026
Waterford City and County Council has today adopted its Budget for 2026, providing for expenditure of approximately €207 million, an increase of almost €14 million (up 7%) on last year.
This is the second Budget of the current Council term and reflects the shared priorities of the Elected Members and the Executive at a time of strong momentum for Waterford.
Waterford continues to stand out nationally as one of the fastest-growing counties in the country and was recently ranked Ireland’s Best Place to Live in the Liveability Index adopted in August 2025.
Speaking today, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Mayor of Waterford City and County said, “This Budget is about building on Waterford’s success and ensuring that we continue to deliver the high-quality services our citizens and businesses expect. It reflects our ambition to strengthen Waterford as the best place to live, work, invest and visit. This is a fair, balanced and responsible Budget. It protects the Council’s financial stability and enhances the delivery of key services for our communities.”
The Council adopted a 3.5% increase in the Annual Rate on Valuation, which will generate an additional €1.26m for essential services. However, 71% of Waterford businesses – those with a rates bill of €5,000 or less – will see no increase in their commercial rates if they avail of the Prompt Payment Incentive. Revenue has confirmed that an additional €810k will be available next year from the Local Property Tax.
Key Expenditure Priorities:
Housing: Housing remains a core priority. The Budget allocates €2.4m additional for housing maintenance, reflecting increased stock, inflation and void turnaround costs; increased provision for Housing Grants, including Croí Cónaithe; and continued focus on rent collection to reduce arrears.
Roads & Transport: The Council continues to scale up investment in the local road network, with increased budgets across all roads programmes and additional resourcing for piers and harbours.
Water Services: Additional funding is allocated for enhanced testing of rural and private water supplies; over €150k additional funding is being allocated for operation of public toilets, including new facilities in Waterford City and Dungarvan and extended year-round openings at toilets at all beach locations.
Planning, Regeneration & Community Development: Increased investment includes sustained resourcing of major regeneration projects, including the North Quays, Cappoquin, Ardmore, Dunmore East and Portlaw); over €210k additional funding for Community & Enterprise, including the Local Sports Partnership, PPN and Local Community Safety Partnership.
Environmental Services: an additional €1.4m is being allocated for the Fire Service, reflecting national changes to retained firefighters; an additional €200k for street cleaning services; additional investment in climate action initiatives, waste regulation and bring-centre operations.
Recreation, Culture & Amenity: The Budget provides: over €250k additional funding for festivals and events, supporting Winterval, the Harvest Festival, St Patrick’s Day, Comeragh’s Wild, and community festivals; over €200k in additional funding for libraries; an additional €200k for parks, pitches and open spaces; increased funding for water testing and Blue Flag infrastructure at beaches; and an additional €80k for arts development.
Other Key Provisions: Continued support for the General Municipal Allocation.
The Budget represents a vital investment in the long-term success of Waterford, by protecting essential services and strengthening the environment in which businesses can thrive and communities can flourish. It supports continued footfall, enhances the public realm, improves accessibility, and sustains the festivals, events and initiatives that drive economic activity and civic pride. In short, the Budget underpins the conditions that make Waterford an exceptional place to live, work, visit and do business, ensuring that momentum is not only maintained but built upon in the years ahead.
