No Local Property Tax increase for Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown homeowners in 2027

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown councillors have voted to retain a 15% reduction on the base Local Property Tax for 2027, meaning homeowners will see no increased cost

Add to preferred sources News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 14:20, 13 Oct 2026 Updated 10:06, 14 Oct 2026 View Image Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Marine Road (Image: Stephen Collins)

Homeowners in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown will see no increase in their Local Property Tax (LPT), as councillors voted to retain the maximum reduction of 15%.

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown councillors experienced “déjà vu” in County Hall last night when, after more than an hour of debating, they voted to retain the rate at 2026 levels. While Director of Finance Eamonn Magee said a reduction rate of minus 7.5% would provide €10.4 million and address funding shortfalls as they draft their upcoming budget, the majority of representatives said they could not justify putting further costs on constituents in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis .

LPT is a tax charged on the value of a property, it has a basic rate across the country which can be raised by up to 25% or lowered by up to 15% by each local authority. The rate is set each year. Last year, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown was the only local authority to apply the full 15% reduction and they have repeated that decision for 2027.

Mr Magee explained that the council’s budget is under "significant pressure” to maintain its existing services while also addressing new housing developments , population growth, homelessness, sports, roads, and fire services. Despite the executive recommendation, councillors voted by 27 to 12 to approve the full reduction.

Labour councillors supported the 7.5% suggestion while Green councillors sought to approve the national base rate with no reduction or increase. These party reps argued that the funding shortfall would simply need to be found elsewhere and cited increased costs for social housing tenants and parking fees that were implemented last year.

Labour Party Cllr Martha Fanning said that “it is clear the cost of living is taking its toll” but a 15% cut is “simply a tax break for the wealthiest in our community”. She said that a 7.5% reduction will allow them to ensure funding for vital services while “taking into account the cost of living pressures people are experiencing”.

Green Party Cllr Lauren Tuite expressed concern about retaining the reduction only to find themselves “scrambling” in November when the budget vote comes. She warned against “giving with one hand and taking away with the other” and said the council should not be making tax cuts “they can’t afford”.

Chief Executive Frank Curran spoke about the difficulties of keeping up with inflation and said maintaining the 15% reduction “will inevitably lead to a reduction in services”. He explained inflation means the costs of every contract they have will be going up and that legal requirements, such as upgrading buildings for energy efficiency, will put even further pressure on the council.

Despite these concerns, the overwhelming majority voted to retain the reduction. Fianna Fáil Cllr Justin Moylan said that local reps have very few areas where they can actually directly control the costs their constituents face. But, one area they can control is LPT and for that reason he supported the full 15% reduction.

Fine Gael Cllr Eoin O’Driscoll said the council received an additional €11 million in 2026 from LPT following property revaluation, which he believes leaves no case for “increasing the burden on families”. “Homeowners are already under real financial pressure, and the Council is already benefiting from significantly higher LPT revenue,” he stated.

“Before asking families to pay more, there has to be a convincing case for why it is necessary, and evidence that every effort is being made to control costs. That case was not made, and I’m glad these proposals were rejected.”

He said the outcome reflected a principle that should apply at every level of government. “Many of our local homeowners are part of Ireland’s squeezed middle. They work hard, pay their taxes and look after their families, yet too often feel they are asked to carry more and more of the burden.

“Already local homeowners in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown pay disproportionately high local property taxes. Fine Gael’s Making Work Pay policy is about letting people keep more of what they earn, and that principle should guide how we approach local taxation too.”

Cllr O’Driscoll acknowledged that the council has a responsibility to invest in communities and deliver good local services but said this must go hand in hand with discipline in public spending. “We cannot let Council expenditure rise year after year, well ahead of inflation, and continue to just pass the buck onto local homeowners and ratepayers. Retaining the 15% reduction is the right outcome for local homeowners and for the squeezed middle.”

People Before Profit Cllr Dave O'Keeffe described LPT as a “repressive tax” which is “not tied in any way shape or form to your ability to pay it”. He said the onus is on central government to address the cost of living crisis and that their council "shouldn't be adding to that”.

While some homeowners may have high value properties “on paper,” Cllr O’Keefe said many are struggling to make ends meet" and “luckily our libraries are heated” as people are trying to find ways to save on their bills any way they can.

Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Clarke said that people’s family homes should not be treated has “assets to be flipped” and that many owners are “cash poor” while living in high value homes. Independent Cllr Kevin Daly shared this sentiment, stating it’s not the homeowners fault their houses have gone up in value over the years.

“It’s not their fault their houses are worth X amount of money, there are people who have lived here for 40 years and it just so happens it’s become a very desirable place to live,” he said.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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