Galway City Council’s Budget 2027 proposals include increased investment in incentive schemes and services intended to support local businesses, tourism and the public realm.
Budget 2027 proposals have been developed in the context of significant demand for Galway City Council services and no increase in the Council’s annual allocation from national Government for 2027.
The proposals would provide funding to introduce a Vacant Property Scheme, to tackle long term commercial vacancy in Galway City. The scheme will waive rates for qualifying businesses that open in a premises vacant for more than one year. Rates waiver of 100% in Year 1, reducing to 50% in Year 2 and 25% in Year 3, before reverting to full rates in Year 4.
This scheme is intended to support and attract businesses that contribute positively to vibrancy and services in the city centre and local communities, such as clothing and shoe shops, bookshops, creative industries or circular economy businesses for example. Certain business types such as vape shops, betting shops and phone shops will be excluded from the proposed scheme.
Ultimately, this new proposal is an investment in revitalising vacant properties, increasing footfall, improving the diversity of businesses in the city, and supporting long-term economic development.
Budget 2027 also includes a proposal to expand the successful Shop Front Enhancement Scheme for independent retail and hospitality businesses, supporting repairs, painting and bilingual signage; accessibility improvements and decluttering; repairs to protected structures and buildings; and collaborations with local artists and the use of traditional building skills.
A new incentive scheme focused the on tourism, hospitality and retail sectors is also proposed as part of the Council’s commercial rates measures.
The proposals also set out increased litter management, more support for festivals and events and Night Time Economy initiatives, and a development fund to bring the largest annual festival and competition for traditional Irish music, song and dance - Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - to Galway.
These measures are designed to deliver bednights and footfall in Galway, during quieter ‘shoulder’ periods, encouraging greater spending in Galway businesses outside of peak summer season.
Details of the incentive scheme and other supports will be published, subject to adoption of the Budget proposals by the Elected Members at the annual budget meeting on 23 November 2026.
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council said the Council has a responsibility to secure sufficient locally generated income to maintain services and invest in the city, saying,
“Galway is competing with other destinations, nationally and at a European level, for investment, visitors, events and economic activity. If the council does not generate enough funding locally to invest in street cleaning, public infrastructure, the nighttime economy, parks, amenities and litter management, the market will vote with their feet, and invest their time and money elsewhere. Commercial rates in Galway City lag behind the country average - substantially below ARV rates in the cities of Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. If we want to retain our reputation as a high quality destination in which to live, work, study and invest, we need to invest in local services and infrastructure, and to bring commercial rates more in line with the national average.”
“For those living in the city, an adjustment of the LPT will see ringfenced delivery in footpath repair, supporting people with a disability or mobility issues, families with buggies, school children, and those accessing public transport, local services or community facilities.”
