A report by the National Oversight and Audit Commission has found that five local authorities in Ireland were struggling to control their revenue deficit, with Wexford County Council among those facing a deteriorating revenue balance.
The independent watchdog identified Wexford, Sligo, Waterford, Mayo, and Donegal as the authorities in question. Sligo was the worst affected, with its deficit rising from €11.4 million in 2010 to nearly €27 million in 2014.
The report found that 55% of local authorities in Ireland were running a deficit at the end of 2014. Between 2010 and 2014, Wexford County Council’s revenue balance deficit rose by 28%, from €7.7 million to €9.9 million.
Over the past five years, the council’s collection levels for housing loans have fallen from 90% to 75%, and for rents from 93% to 90%.
Commenting on the deficit figures, the audit commission said, “While some of these authorities have made progress on arresting the worsening situation, a small number continue to be a cause of concern.”