The good news in the City's budget was the commitment to retain the Economic Development Fund (EDF) made up of 1% of commercial rates as well as the allocation of a €250,000 fund for the City centre.

The EDF was also committed to in the County Budget along with a number of new funding initiatives aimed at the development of the County towns. The Council also set the harmonisation period, the period to bring former Town Council area rates in line with County Council rates, at five years beginning in 2016 with a rates freeze for 2015.  This will mean that all rates in the County will be the at the same level from 2021.