Senior Management and the Elected Members of City Council are collaborating in advance of Budget 2026 to ensure national and local investment in Galway City is at the forefront of priorities for the year ahead. Elected Members and Senior Management recently held a workshop (19 September) to review progress on a programme of 12 priority projects submitted to the National Programme for Government in November 2024 to ensure Galway City delivers under the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework. This submission is the focus of on-going communications with TDs and Senators at Oireachtas Briefings, to ensure that Galway City remains high in national priorities and investment strategies.
The programme of 12 priority projects reflect the Council’s role as an economic, social and cultural driver of the Northern and Western region. These priorities include the N6 Galway City Ring Road, BusConnects Galway; Galway City Flood Defence Scheme (Coirib go Cósta); funding model; pilot Tourist Bed Night Tax; wastewater infrastructure; regeneration of Dyke Road and Sandy Road; enabling development of Ardaun; the Clifden Railway Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge; cultural infrastructure fund; and Galway Port redevelopment.
Engagement between senior management and councillors is also informing preparations for the Galway City Council Budget 2026, with local priorities for investment being identified. The final Budget will be adopted by Council at the Annual Budget Meeting on 24 November 2025.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, said, “Fifteen months ago, the Elected Members of Galway City Council were given their mandate by the people of Galway City, for the five year term of this Council, to ensure that Galway City continues to be a great place to live, to study, to work, to invest. The Elected Members have taken some challenging decisions over the past year, to ensure our city has access to the resources required to bridge the gap in delivering our vision for Galway. Going into Budget 2026, it is timely that we review our plan, to take stock, and to plan ahead, to ensure we have both national and local investment to deliver for the city.”
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council, said, “A significant programme of work has been delivered since the Local Elections, and is underway, and gaining momentum. It is essential that we continue to drive forward with both the high level, visionary projects we want to see in our city, and the smaller community-based initiatives that are the backbone of our city. A strong collaboration exists between Elected Members and staff. As part of the budget process for 2026, and beyond, Senior Management and Councillors are now reviewing our current priorities - what has changed, and what is required to deliver on behalf of the people of Galway City. A key priority for Galway City continues to be the national funding model for local authorities. The feedback from Elected Members at the workshop on behalf of business and community organisations is that the Tier’s lowest funding model does not reflect Galway City’s role as a key economic driver for the Northern and Western region. Between now and the statutory budget meeting, staff will work in close partnership with Councillors to ensure our approach to the budget process reflects our ambitions, priorities and community needs, while also pursuing national and European investment opportunities.”
Mr Cleary thanked all outdoor and indoor staff for the high level of commitment to the achievement of the service and project targets over the past twelve months under review and paid tribute to all Senior Management for their leadership in that delivery.
The initial engagement workshop between Senior Management and Elected Members, which was facilitated by Dr. Sean Ó Ríordáin, of Dr Seán Ó Ríordáin Associates, was a productive morning of collaboration, with Councillors receiving an overview from the Chief Executive, Directors of Service and Director of Finance on the level of delivery and activity on the ground over the past 15 months, on projects including: BusConnects: Dublin Road; Coirib go Cósta city flood defence scheme; enabling development at Ardaun (Martin Junctin); the Green Spaces Strategy; the new fire station; delivery of social housing in Ballyburke and affordable housing in Rahoon; addressing dereliction; Ballinfoile and Knocknacarra Community centres – Climate Retrofit in 2026; European Funded Project installing hydro turbines in the canal in Galway City; Renmore Masterplan; toilet and shower facilities at Ballyloughane; Southpark Masterplan; Salthill Masterplan; Kingston/ Millers Lane Masterplan; Delivery of Newcastle Community Centre; Delivery of reconfigured Wood Quay Park; City Litter Strategy; among other projects and services.
These discussions will now continue, as part of the Budget process, with the annual Budget meeting taking place on 24 November 2025.
