Local Property Tax Reform Unlocks €42 Million Boost for Councils Nationwide

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed a major funding boost for Louth County Council under the Government’s Local Property Tax (LPT) reform.

From 2026, Louth County Council will benefit from an additional €600,000 each year thanks to changes in how LPT funds are distributed. This will give the council greater flexibility to invest in vital local services, infrastructure, and community projects.

“This is a huge win for Louth,” said Deputy McGreehan. “It’s about putting money back into communities so they can deliver the projects and improvements people want to see.”

The €600,000 increase for County Louth forms part of a national €42 million rise in LPT baselines, bringing total allocations for local authorities to €744 million next year.

“With this extra funding, Louth County Council will be better equipped to improve roads, invest in local housing, enhance urban renewal programmes, and revitalise derelict areas,” Deputy McGreehan added.

“This also recognises the reality that counties like Louth, where the population is growing rapidly, need more resources to match that growth. As County Louth becomes an increasingly important regional hub, it’s vital that local infrastructure and amenities reflect that.”

The reforms mean every local authority will now receive an increased minimum (‘baseline’) allocation, ensuring councils have the resources to deliver day-to-day services and regeneration projects in their communities. The LPT baseline will have increased by more than 33% over three years by 2026.

“People paying the local property tax deserve to see their contributions at work locally,” concluded Deputy McGreehan. “These changes guarantee that more of this revenue is invested directly back into the areas it comes from, supporting stronger, more vibrant communities.”