Cork Budget Day.

Cork City Council approved its budget for the coming year during a meeting last night, the budget passing by 24 votes to 7. The budget sees €240million worth of spending for 2022, a €14million increase on 2021.

Among the headline features of the new spending plan: €4.5million more has been committed to homelessness services, an increase in the Capital Advance Leasing Facility/Mortgage to Rent of €3.9 million, and €2.3 million allocated to events, community, arts and sports grants.

Changes in the Local Property Tax system will see the council raise a further  €2.95 million, which will be used for Housing Revenue and Capital services.

Increases have also been announced at council-owned parking spots.  The charge for Paul Street car park will increase from €2.30 to €2.70 per hour, while the charge for North Main Street car park will increase from €1.70 to €2.30 per hour.  In addition, on-street parking/Park by Phone will increase from €2.00 to €2.50.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colm Kelleher, said: “This budget enables Cork City Council to not only continue to deliver essential services but also build on the progress that has been made in achieving its strategic goals, making Cork a better place to live, work and invest in.

“Much great work has been done in the life of this Council to date and we now have the opportunity to continue this momentum.”

Cork City Council Chief Executive, Ann Doherty said: “The budget provides funding measures aimed at addressing some strategically important areas and provides a reasonable balance across the competing objective of developing the social, cultural, economic, environmental and infrastructural needs of the city in a socially inclusive manner that Council is charged with progressing.”