Council expenditure rose by over €38 million in 2022

SOUTH Dublin County Council expenditure in 2022 increased by over €38m compared to 2021.

According to the Annual Financial Statement 2022 published by the council, there was a total expenditure of €445.4m during 2022 – a nine per cent increase in expenditure from 2021.

In the report the council say this was “anticipated in the revised budget process”.

Speaking at the April council meeting, SDCC’s Head of Finance Ronan Fitzgerald said 2022 was an “extraordinary year” with many businesses recovering from covid, the Ukraine crisis, and inflation throughout the economy.

“Overall our expenditure in 2022 was €445.4m, comparable to €407.1m in 2021.

“That is made up of €296.1m in revenue and €149.3m in capital.

“The revenue count shows a surplus for the year of €44,756 despite some additional expenditure.

Our capital count has experienced some positive movement of €67.7m for the year, with a resulting closing balance of €393.1m.

“Our measures have performed reasonably well with improvements in rate and rent collections but overall our measures have performed well and there remains adequate cover from our unrealised debtors and our bad debts provision.”

According to the report, actual expenditure compared to budget, for a number of services and divisions, differed from projections.

“This is a normal part of service provision and the excess expenditure is offset by additional receipts, grants/recoupments or savings in other areas.

Accordingly the increase in expenditure from the revised budget was funded from increased grant and other income,” it said.

The Annual financial statement 2022 was noted by members at the meeting.

Mr Fitzgerald said it then goes forward to be audited by the Local Government auditor, which is expected to be carried out later this month.