Kilkenny Council’s 2024 Performance: Strong in Housing, Needs Improvement

UPDATE: Kilkenny County Council’s performance for 2024 has just been evaluated as “mixed, above the national average in some service areas,” according to a new report from the National Oversight and Audit Committee (NOAC). The findings were delivered to councillors in a letter dated October 14, 2023, revealing critical insights from the Local Authority Performance Indicators Report 2024.

This urgent report, published on September 30, 2023, reviewed 46 indicators across vital service areas including housing, roads, planning, waste, water, finance, and community services. The implications of these findings are significant for residents, policymakers, and local authorities.

Kilkenny excelled in collecting rents and housing loans, with collection rates reaching 90% for rates, 95% for rent, and 90% for housing loans—comfortably exceeding national averages of 90%, 88%, and 88%, respectively. In a letter, Seamus Kavanagh, Acting Director of Corporate Services, praised the staff’s commitment to achieving these results despite financial constraints.

“The commitment of staff in achieving these high levels of collection must be recognised and acknowledged,” Kavanagh stated. The council is dedicated to reducing arrears in the coming years, particularly in 2024 and 2025.

Kilkenny also performed well in library and community services, showing participation figures that are in line with, or slightly above, national trends. However, challenges remain. The council’s workforce indicators reveal strains similar to those faced by local governments nationwide.

The NOAC report does indicate that Kilkenny fell short of national averages in crucial environmental and waste management areas. Additionally, the re-letting time for social housing units exceeded the national average, raising concerns about timely housing solutions for residents.

Local factors, including population diversity, geography, and resource availability, were noted as influences on performance metrics. The council emphasized that improvement targets do not apply to fluctuating demand-led services like homelessness, which can vary significantly on a monthly basis.

Despite these hurdles, Kilkenny County Council is committed to delivering a “high standard of service” and pursuing continuous improvement across all departments. Michael McCarthy, Chair of NOAC, underscored the importance of ongoing attention to housing and service delivery, stating, “Local authorities play a crucial role in supporting communities around Ireland.”

The comprehensive report, available on the NOAC website, provides detailed tables showing Kilkenny’s comparative results across all service categories. This data is expected to aid local authorities in policy reviews and performance assessments for the year ahead.

For residents and stakeholders, these findings signal a pivotal moment for Kilkenny County Council as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of 2024. The outcomes of this report will be closely monitored as the council strives to enhance its services and meet the evolving needs of the community.