John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

The review of the baselines looked at a number of factors and population was just one of them. Other factors included local income, deprivation and achieving national policy priorities.It is important to say that Galway City Council has benefited and will benefit into next year. It will receive an additional €1 million from an increase in the LPT baseline, while €1.1 million of the surplus the local authority generates will be retained by it. The authority will increase its variation as well, as it did for 2025. That enables it to have €1.6 million over and above its base. There is significant benefit derived from the changes this year and into 2026.

I take the Senator's points on board but the tiering designation piece has no impact whatsoever on the baselines. It is not a factor for consideration. I take on board the other points the Senator raised on the additional catchment that is captured, but obviously that is captured in Galway County Council's allocation as well in terms of LPT.