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RTÉ News
18-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Majority of Dubliners to see property tax rise next year
The majority of Dubliners will see their property tax rise next year as Dublin City Councillors are set to become the latest local authority in the capital to vote to increase the tax. If the vote passes as expected this evening, householders in three of Dublin's four locals authority areas will see their property tax increase from next year, alongside a separate revaluation of the Local Property Tax bands for all households across the country which will be applied from November. Dublin City Council said the increase will provide almost €16.5m in additional funding for the city, with almost a third going toward maintaining the city's housing stock. But opponents said they believe the property tax hike is unfair on householders and that the extra funding could be raised by collecting unpaid vacant and derelict site levies and development contributions. Since the introduction of the Local Property Tax more than a decade ago, councillors have had the ability to increase or decrease the base rate of the tax by 15%. Dublin City Council has always voted to apply the full 15% discount below the the base rate. However as part of their agreement to form a coalition last year, councillors from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Labour Party agreed to vote to increase the tax by 15%, returning it to the base rate from 2026 to 2029. In recent weeks two other Dublin local authorities also voted to increase their property taxes while the other maintained its rate. Fingal County Council voted to reduce the discount they apply to the base rate from 7.5% to 5%, generating an additional €1m for services. South Dublin County Council also voted to reduce its discount from 7.5% to 5%, generating €3m in additional funding. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council voted to continue to apply the full 15% discount on the local property tax. In a circular to councillors ahead of tonight's meeting, Dublin City Council's Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare urged them to no longer apply the 15% discount on property tax for householders in the city, saying that removing the discount would give the council €16.4m in additional funding. The Government has already announced that properties are to be revalued for Local Property Tax on 1 November this year. However, he said that as 75% of properties in the city council are currently in band 4 or under, based on current valuations, most homeowners in the capital would see a weekly increase of between 36 cent and €1.61 if the discount on property tax is discontinued. He said that everyone wants Dublin city to become more vibrant and enjoyable and that the injection of extra funding for the capital would provide services that will "benefit and lift all". He outlined that €5.4m would be allocated to housing maintenance, €3m would go on roads and footpaths and another €3m would be used for urban regeneration and upgrading vacant properties. Mr Shakespeare said: "Dublin City Council seeks to maintain and develop services in an environment with rising service provision costs and the need to invest in key infrastructure projects. "It is unreasonable that an expectation be held that there be no increase to Dublin City Council's income base. "Securing resources of €16.4m to find services to support communities and businesses in 2026 and apply this funding of additional services for a period of four years up to and including 2029 is a valuable opportunity that I urge elected members to take." He said the current estimated take for property tax in Dublin City in 2026 is €109.4m up, €8.5m on 2025. The increase to the base rate was one of the main conditions for Labour and the Greens to enter a coalition on Dublin City Council last year, but they agreed to postpone the rise until 2026 because councillors in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were reported to be reluctant to agree to supporting it until after the general election had taken place. The group have 31 of the 63 seats on Dublin City Council and hope to receive support from a number of councillors outside the coalition, including representatives of the Social Democrats who last year supported a vote to return the tax to the base rate. 'If we want to invest, we need to raise revenue' - Labour councillor Labour's group leader on Dublin City Council Darragh Moriarty said his party pushed for the increase to improve the city, particularly its social housing stock. He said: "We're asking people to pay a little bit more, to put more into our city. If we want to invest in a city, we need to raise revenue. "This is the one revenue raising tool we have and every year for the last decade we voted to reduce it. "People who live in €2m mansions get an €800 tax cut every single year from Dublin City Council. We want to turn it around and e want to put that €800 into people's homes. "€5.4m of this increase in local property tax is going to go directly towards increasing the budget for housing maintenance. "That's replacing single glaze windows, new doors, mechanical ventilation and insulation boards. "That's really, really important for us. It's a hard fought win. Additionally, we're going to be investing in roads resurfacing, footpath repairs and vacancy and dereliction." 'This tax hits workers and pensioners who are already stetched' - PBP-Solidarity councillor People Before Profit-Solidarity said they will vote against the increase saying they believe the focus should be on collecting unpaid vacant and derelict site levies and development contributions. The party's group leader on the council Conor Reddy said: "If we could, we would abolish the Local Property Tax altogether. "It's primarily a tax on family homes, not real wealth. House prices are rising at an unprecedented pace, but people's wages aren't. "This tax hits workers and pensioners who are already stretched. "A truly progressive property tax would exempt people's homes and instead focus on those holding and hoarding wealth in investment properties and elsewhere. "Meanwhile, tens of millions in vacant and derelict site levies go uncollected by DCC and other councils around Ireland and private developers still owe councils, including DCC massive sums in unpaid development contributions. "Instead of punishing ordinary households, we should be taxing multi-property landlords, short-term lets, hotel chains, and big corporations. "We need more State support for local authorities - more funding for tenant in situ acquisitions to keep people out of homelessness, for refurbishment of voids, delivery of local services and most crucially, delivery of public and affordable housing on council owned lands. "The additional yield from this increase will not make the difference on any of these crucial fronts, but it will hurt homeowners who are already struggling to make ends meet." Dubliners want 'cleaner city, safer streets, and real action on vacancy' - Lord Mayor However, newly-elected Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam of Fine Gael said the higher property taxes will allow councillors to deal with many of the issues raised in last year's local elections and setting the rate for four years will also provide certainty about the rate of property tax they will pay. He said: "We heard directly from Dubliners at last year's local elections. They want a cleaner city, they want safer streets, they want better roads, better footpaths and they want improved housing conditions and they want real action vacancy and dereliction. "This is going to unlock €16.4bn of expenditure expense in terms of improving our city, roads, improving footpaths, enhancing accessibility toward our city, but also genuinely taking real action to tackle the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our city and improving the conditions upon which many Dubliners live. "In addition to that, we're also taking steps to contribute towards the borrowing costs associated with key infrastructure projects like the redevelopment of Dalymount Park, the new City Library in Parnell Square, as well as the new Fruit and Veg market in Smithfield."
Extra.ie
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Dublin's new 'Nee-Naw' service: What's it all about?
A new initiative has been launched by Dublin City Council, aimed at helping late-night revellers in the city centre stay safe and have a great night out in Dublin. Officially named the 'Dublin Nights Help Zone', it will be better known as the 'Nee-Naw' – a phrase commonly used by small children to describe an ambulance, or emergency vehicle. This mobile safe space or 'NEE-NAW' has been designed to provide support to people who may need help during a night out in Dublin City Centre, whether they're feeling unwell, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a calm and friendly place to rest and get themselves together. Pic: Dublin City Council It will be easily identifiable as a branded 'Fiat Ducato' van, and will be based on Dublin's busy Camden Street between the hours of 10pm and 3am, every Friday and Saturday night. Staffed by a number of professionals, including a Medic, Welfare Officer, Security personnel and a Site Operator, the NEE-NAW aims to provide approachable support for anyone who needs it. It's being funded by the Department of Justice, as part of the national 'Night-Time Economy Advisor Pilot Scheme', which aims to create safer, more inclusive cities after dark. Dublin Nights Help Zone Photo Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography 2025 Richard Shakespeare from Dublin City Council, says 'The Dublin Nights Help Zone demonstrates how cities can actively support vibrant night-time activity, while prioritising public safety and well-being'. The initiative is supported by the Department of Justice and has been designed to support people who may be feeling unwell, overwhelmed or scared, and will offer assistance and a calm friendly space to take a breath and regroup The Gardai have also welcomed the initiative, with Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary from the Dublin Metropolitan Region, saying 'An Garda Síochána is committed to making Dublin safer, and this includes our vibrant night-time scene.' Welcoming the new service, he said, 'The Dublin Nights Help Zone initiative will provide a supportive space for people enjoying the city at night' . The service launches this coming Friday night – July 4th and will be located on Camden Street in Dublin City Centre. It will be run as a pilot project for 6-8 weeks between the hours of 10pm and 3am.
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Late-night welfare van nicknamed ‘The Nee-Naw' launches in Dublin this weekend
Known as 'Dublin Nights Help Zone', the van is designed to be there for people who feel unwell, overwhelmed or simply in need of a calm space in the city to regroup. The initiative of Dublin City Council (DCC), funded by the Department of Justice, will start operations on Friday, July 4, and be in place every subsequent Friday and Saturday night for a 6 to 8-week pilot period. It is to be stationed on Camden Street between 10pm and 3am for the weekend nights it is operating. Staffed by a dedicated welfare team, including a medic, welfare officer, and two security officers, the mobile unit promises 'non-judgmental, approachable support' to anyone who needs it. It will be branded with Dublin City Council and logos, but the largest sign on the van will be its nickname, The Nee-Naw. 'The service will also be affectionately referred to in public as 'The Nee-Naw', chosen to make the service feel more approachable and easier to identify,' said Ray O'Donoghue, Dublin's night-time economy advisor. 'It's about making sure help is visible, stigma-free, and easy to access.' The rollout of the welfare scheme is a component of the national Night-Time Economy Advisor Pilot Scheme, and aims to promote an atmosphere of community engagement and harm reduction on nights out. Chief executive of DCC, Richard Shakespeare, said: 'The Dublin Nights Help Zone is a practical, people-focused initiative that supports our goal of making Dublin a safer, more welcoming city at night. 'By providing real-time welfare support in a key nightlife area, this pilot demonstrates how cities can actively support vibrant night-time activity while prioritising public safety and well-being.' Councillor Rachael Batten, who chairs the council's Economic Development and Enterprise SPC, said the new scheme was about providing 'real, practical support' to Dubliners on nights out. 'The Dublin Nights Help Zone sends a strong message that we care about the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of everyone enjoying Dublin at night,' the Fianna Fáil member said. 'The Nee-Naw' follows on from a previous pilot welfare area set up during the busy Christmas period last December, when a static 'safe space' operated at Foster Place near College Green. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Dublin Live
30-06-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
New late-night welfare zone including medic and security launches in Dublin city centre
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dublin City Council has announced the launch of a new late-night welfare zone in Dublin city centre. The Dublin Nights Help Zone, supported by the Department of Justice, is designed to provide support to individuals who may need assistance during a night out in the city — whether they're feeling unwell, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a calm and friendly place to regroup. The Help Zone will operate as a clearly branded mobile unit stationed on busy Camden Street, running every Friday and Saturday night from 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM, starting 4 July 2025, for a six to eight week pilot period. Nicknamed "The Nee-Naw", it will be staffed by a dedicated welfare team, including a medic, welfare officer, two trained security personnel, and a site operator. Ray O'Donoghue, Dublin's Night-Time Economy Advisor, said: 'While officially known as the Dublin Nights Help Zone, the service will also be affectionately referred to in public as 'The Nee-Naw,' chosen to make the service feel more approachable and easier to identify. It's about making sure help is visible, stigma-free, and easy to access.' Funded by the Department of Justice, this initiative reinforces a commitment to community-based safety and harm reduction in Ireland's night-time economy. The Dublin Nights Help Zone is part of the national Night-Time Economy Advisor Pilot Scheme, promoting innovative, people-centred approaches to creating safer, more inclusive cities after dark. Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, said: 'The Dublin Nights Help Zone is a practical, people-focused initiative that supports our goal of making Dublin a safer, more welcoming city at night. "By providing real-time welfare support in a key nightlife area, this pilot demonstrates how cities can actively support vibrant night-time activity while prioritising public safety and well-being.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
RTÉ News
30-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
542 new homes to be built on former St Teresa's Gardens site
The construction of a long-awaited regeneration project at the former St Teresa's Gardens site in Dublin's south inner city is being offically launched this morning, with the first homes due to be completed by early 2027. The development by the Land Development Agency and Dublin City Council off Donore Avenue near the Liberties in Dublin 8 will deliver 542 new homes along with a crèche, community spaces and a new home for the local boxing club. A sports pitch, cafe and mobility hub are also due to be developed on the site. The new homes, on the four acre site, will be located next to Dublin City Council's development of 54 social homes on Margaret Kennedy Road on part of the former St Teresa's Gardens land. The development, being built by John Paul Construction, will have 233 one-bedroom apartments, 265 two-bedroom apartments and 44 three-bedroom apartments. 389 will be cost-rental while 153 will be social housing apartments A regeneration plan for St Teresa's Gardens, which was once one of the city's largest flat complexes, was first mooted 25 years ago in 2005, but in 2009 the initial plans fell victim to the collapse of the property market. Some blocks were refurbished by 2015 but plans to construct new homes were delayed after hazardous waste was found and the soil required decontamination. A new plan for the regeneration of the remainder of the site and the surrounding area emerged between 2017 and 2018 but parts of that have also faced setbacks and delays. The Land Development Agency's CEO John Coleman says the project is a flagship development for the organisation and its first in Dublin's inner city "It demonstrates our ability to deliver housing on State-owned land and our ambition to create not just new homes, but new liveable, sustainable and integrated communities that can cater for the needs of families, older people and renters." Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, said: "From the very beginning of this process, we have engaged extensively with local residents and businesses, and we are confident that once completed, the Donore Project will add significantly to what is an already thriving community." The LDA, the State's affordable housing delivery body, says it is in the process of delivering more than 19,000 homes on State-owned or acquired land and over 8,000 through homebuilder partnerships. The LDA and Dublin City Council are partnering on a number of projects on lands owned by the local authority in Cherry Orchard in west Dublin and Cromcastle Road in Coolock in north Dublin, while plans are under way for a similar project in Bluebell in south central Dublin.
