Monaghan County Council adopts 2021 budget

The majority of the budget has been largely unchanged from last year, and was agreed by 16 votes to one against.

Over 71.154 million euro is expected to be spent by Monaghan County Council next year.

The details were described as being mostly the same as previous years.

Among the notable changes is the local authority is accounting for the rates income for the coming year to be similar to 2020.

While rents on council owned housing aren't increasing, income is, due to an estimated extra 100 houses being brought on-stream.

Councillor Paudge Connolly opposed the adoption of the budget on the basis of the proposed new council offices as part of the Rooskey masterplan.

This resulted in a heated debate on the cost of renting properties for council use and the benefits that could come of such a project.

It was agreed the plan will be discussed in greater detail at the January meeting.

In concluding, Chief Executive Eamonn O'Sullivan said the 2021 budget was framed so that the local authority can continue to deliver for businesses and the public with ambition and optimism.