Plans to invest €19.5m over the next five years in Galway City have been approved by elected members of the local council.

The funds form part of Galway City Council's €143m budget for 2025, which invests in targeted areas including the delivery of social and affordable housing; new climate action projects; the development of a city campervan facility; bringing derelict sites back into use; street cleaning; the introduction of a shop front enhancement scheme; grants towards local community improvements and projects; and maintenance of housing, parks, footpaths and public amenities.

Recently, at the council's annual budget meeting, Chief Executive Leonard Cleary outlined a series of target measures for next year.  

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They include progressing the Kingston, Millers Lane, Southpark and Renmore Sports and Recreation masterplans to design stage; the delivery of a 'Galway City Tourism Destination and Experience Development Plan' and 'Night-Time Economy Action Plan'; mobilising the newly formed Derelict Sites Team; continuing Climate Action and Sustainability projects; and the development of an implementation plan for the delivery of Galway City's EV charging infrastructure.

The council also plans to expand the tourism, architectural services and frontline outdoor teams, including those directly engaged in street-cleaning, roads, footpath maintenance, grass-cutting and housing repairs.

Mr Cleary stated the approval of the budget for 2025 puts Galway City Council in a position to make a significant investment in essential public services and capital projects over the next five years.

He said: "Significant investment is required in aging infrastructure such as our public lighting, public conveniences, footpaths and housing stock.

"Rising operational costs driven by inflation, wage increases and the rise in energy costs, obligations in meeting sustainability targets and the increased demand for services posed by population growth add to the challenging tasks that the council must contend with."