Dublin City Council, the country's largest local authority, has voted to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15%.

Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael all supported the move to reduce the tax by the greatest amount possible.

Labour had proposed a reduction of 7.5%, citing concerns that a larger cut would hit services such as support for the homeless.

Dublin City Manager Owen Keegan had cautioned against a 15% cut in one year, instead proposing a 5% reduction each year for three years.

He had warned of uncertainty surrounding future State funding for the council.

Householders in Co Cork will have their LPT reduced by 10% for 2015 following a majority decision by Cork County Council.

Councillors voted 38 to 16 to cut the tax at their meeting this morning.

An earlier proposal from Sinn Féin to cut it by 15% was voted down.

Cork County Council was set to raise almost €42m from the tax in 2015, but the cut will see a €4.1m reduction in funds available for services in the county next year.

The 10% reduction will lead to savings of €9 per year on homes under €100,000; €22.50 for homes in the €100,000 and €150,000 band; €31.50 for homes valued between €150,000 and €200,000; and €40.50 for €200,000 and €250,000.

Mayor of County Cork Alan Coleman said it was preferable to charge people less and keep services at this year's level.

Meanwhile, Galway County Council has voted against a similar motion calling for a 15% cut in LPT. 

Sinn Féin Councillor Dermot Connolly proposed the reduction at today's meeting of the local authority.

Members voted 27 – 9 against the proposal. 

The meeting heard that any cut in the LPT would result in a reduction in the council’s discretionary spending. 

Galway County Council Acting Chief Executive Kevin Kelly told councillors that for every 1% reduction, available funds would fall by €150,000.

He said this would have to be found elsewhere in council budgets.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Connolly said the authority had missed an opportunity to send a clear message to central government about the funding of councils and provision of services in the county. 

He said there had been a steady reduction in council funding in recent years and that the property tax was being used to make up the shortfall.

He argued that a 15% reduction would have meant a great deal to many families who he said were struggling to make ends meet. 

Meanwhile, councillors in Kerry voted 22 to nine to keep their rate at the same level, with a Sinn Féin proposal to reduce it by 15% defeated.

Cork City Council will vote on a Fianna Fáil motion to cut its rate by 15% at its meeting next Monday.