Westmeath ahead of national averages in collecting rates, rents and housing loans

Westmeath County Council outperform other local authorities in collecting commercial rates, housing rents and housing loan repayments, councillors have been told.

A report presented by director of finance Michael Hand at the quarterly finance meeting showed the local authority are well ahead of the national average across all three main revenue streams.

The council collected 97% of commercial rates during 2025, compared with a national average of 93%; the collection target for 2026 has been set at 96%.

Housing rent collection also remained strong, at 97% collected during 2025, comfortably above the national average of 91%. The local authority aim to maintain that performance this year.

The council collected 102% of housing loan repayments for the second consecutive year, exceeding both their own 100% target and the national average of 91%. The figure reflects collection of current repayments plus arrears from previous years.

The strong collection figures were welcomed during the subsequent council meeting.

Chief executive Barry Kehoe told members the performance reflected the work of staff across the organisation but stressed that maintaining those income streams was becoming increasingly important as the council prepare for significant financial challenges.

He noted that Westmeath faces major pressures in preparing the 2027 budget, including the end of the Uisce Éireann Service Level Agreement (see separate article), the loss of associated central management charges, the continued rollout of the Strategic Workforce Plan and the growing cost of maintaining an expanding housing stock.

Mr Kehoe said strong financial management would become even more important as those pressures emerge over the coming year.

Mr Hand’s report also noted that work on the budget for 2027 will begin shortly, and workshops are to be held with councillors ahead of the annual budget meeting in November.