Mayo County Council in stable financial position, meeting told

Mayo County Council has reported revenue collection of near or above 90% for commercial rates, rents and loans during 2025.

Overall, the local authority returned a surplus of €387,124 for the year, bringing the accumulated debit balance on the general revenue reserve to €832,853.

In a presentation to councillors at their monthly meeting in Belmullet last week, Director of Finance Peter Duggan said there had been a 96% success in rates collections, 91% in rents and 87% in loans, but work was ongoing to recoup outstanding debts.

“In keeping with the council’s business support culture, every effort is made to work with our customers through challenging times and the positive and proactive engagement from the majority of our customers is acknowledged. Notwithstanding this, there is an onus on this council to collect debts owing to it and our collection rates overall showed improvements in 2025.

“During 2026, we will continue to maintain and strengthen our focus on debt collection working with our commercial and non-commercial customers in a proactive manner commensurate with their financial capacity. There are instances, unfortunately, where reasonable means are not taken to pay outstanding debts or customers refuse to positively engage with us and we have no choice but to take all actions available to us, including court action, to pursue these debts.” 

Mr Duggan said the local authority was in "a stable financial position" at the end of 2025, with its cumulative deficit in its revenue account standing at €832,853. 

"It is important that this deficit is reduced and eliminated over the coming years and that this is considered when framing the Budget for 2027 and future years.

“We will continue to closely monitor the council's expenditure and income in order to maintain and improve the council's financial position."

Mr Duggan acknowledged the support of the Cathaoirleach and members of the council for their continued interest, as well as chief executive Kevin Kelly and his colleagues on the management team and all staff involved with budgetary monitoring and control across the council.

"The completion of the annual financial statements has only been possible due to the hard work and dedication of staff in the finance section, in particular, Ms Olivia Heffernan, financial accountant and Ms Tracey Flanagan, management accountant."

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.