Dublin City councillors voted Friday evening to increase the Local Property Tax by 15 percent, generating an additional €16.5 million in revenue for the capital while adding financial pressure on householders already facing rising living costs.
The expected vote means three of Dublin’s four local authority areas will now impose higher property taxes from next year. Nearly one-third of the additional funding will be directed toward maintaining the city’s housing stock, according to council officials.
The decision follows an agreement reached during government formation talks last year, when Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Labour and the Green Party committed to supporting the maximum 15 percent increase for the next three years.
However, the move faced strong opposition from several councillors who argued the tax hike unfairly burdens families already struggling with inflation. Former Mayor Christy Burke, representing Dublin North Inner City, voted against the increase.
“It’s an unjust tax on families given the rise in household goods such as food, heating, gas, petrol and school uniforms,” Burke said. “It’s an unnecessary burden when families are so desperately struggling.”
Burke highlighted particular concerns for his constituency, noting that “the north inner city has some of the most at-need families and individuals living there.”
Critics suggested alternative revenue sources, including better collection of unpaid vacant and derelict site levies and development contributions, rather than imposing additional costs on homeowners.
Dublin City Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare had urged councillors to remove the existing 15 percent discount on property tax, arguing it would provide crucial additional funding for city services.
The decision comes as the government prepares to revalue all properties for Local Property Tax purposes on November 1st this year, potentially affecting tax bills further.