Longford businesses hailed as Council's rates collection levels hit ninety per cent mark

Locally elected politicians learned of the news during the May monthly meeting of Longford County Council.

Acting Head of Finance, Fema Flanagan, in presenting an overview of the council's annual financial statement for the year ending 2022, said the fiscal health of the local authority was particularly pleasing.

“Rates collection went up to 90 per cent which is really positive and our arrears dropped to €859,000,” she said, adding it was the council's ninth financial surplus to be recorded in a row.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus Butler said the figures, most notably evidenced by the 90 per cent rates collection return, was extraordinary.

“The fact the county council has shown a surplus for the seventh or eighth in a row shows the financial good health of this organisation,” he said.

“I think it is remarkable in the present circumstances we have a 90 per cent collection of rates.

“It is a major source of income for this local authority and it’s for that reason our business community must not be taken for granted.”