Property tax decision is 'consistent' says Kildare cathaoirleach

A LOCAL TD has expressed “deep disappointment” at last week’s (24 July) decision by Kildare County Council (KCC) to support a 10 per cent increase in the Local Property Tax (LPT) for 2026-2027 as there was “overwhelming feedback from the public calling for relief amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis”.

However, Kildare County Council cathaoirleach Carmel Kelly explained that this raise is the same as its been for the last four years.

She pointed at the recent example of Dublin City Council’s disastrous ‘0%’ LPT campaign whose necessary repeal a fortnight ago could lead to a 34 per cent LPT, with bills of €800 for some homes there.

The Kildare motion, supported by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, passed by 27 votes to 10, with nine councillors supporting the counter-motion from the Social Democrats for no variation, which was seconded by Sinn Féin Councillor Noel Connolly.

“Today’s vote is a slap in the face to the many households in Kildare who made their voices heard through the public consultation,” said TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh. The message was crystal clear: families are under massive pressure. Groceries, fuel, rent, childcare, mortgages – everything is up, and yet the Council has now voted to add another burden on already stretched households."

Cllr Kelly, however, pointed out that earlier in the year the department of local government revision of its list of house price bands will see the LPT on lower and mid-range housing come down, and only raise on properties greater in value €750,000.

Cllr Kelly pointed out that when the bands are announced by the department, councils have the discretion to announce an LPT of up to 25 per cent, however, she pointed out that KCC has maintained a consistency over the last number of years, maintaining the raise to just 10 per cent.

“Over the last four years there’s been no change, and we’re committed to keep it like that for the next two years at least. For most people it will come down to something an €5, €10, €20 a year,” she said.

“Before the (council) meeting we agreed the world is too uncertain, and the tariffs weren’t even set when we were meeting,” she said, noting there is a lot more at large in the world than the goings on in Áras Cill Dara.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh added. “We in Sinn Féin opposed this increase. It is the wrong move at the wrong time. Increasing the LPT does nothing to address the real needs of working people in Kildare—it just shifts the burden further onto their shoulders.

“It’s especially disappointing to see Labour backing this hike.

“For a party that claims to represent working people, their decision to side with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on this will not be forgotten by the many families they have let down today.

“We need to build a system that delivers for ordinary people—not punishes them.”