Property tax cut attempt rejected

Councillors in Kerry have rejected a call by Sinn Féin to reduce next year’s property tax bill by the maximum 15% allowable following a plea by management that the council coffers would be under huge strain and services would have to be reduced.

Kerry County Council is already on course for its first budget shortfall in many years next year. The predicted shortfall of €1.5m will largely be because of continuing reductions in central Government funding.

With large numbers of empty shops and businesses, rate revenue is also expected to be down.