Vol. 545 No. 3
130 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the increasing burden that local taxation is causing for local business concerns in Ennis, County Clare, as outlined in attached correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30291/01]
The levying and collection of local charges are matters for individual local authorities. Since the introduction of the local government fund in 1999, I have limited the extent by which commercial rates may be increased over the previous year's rate levels. The cap for next year is 7.5%. It is of course open to local authorities to adopt lower rates where appropriate.
I have greatly increased the allocations to local authorities from the local government fund to support their day-to-day activities. In the case of Ennis UDC, I have provided £1,239,992 in funding for their 2001 general purpose needs. This represents an increase of 23% on their initial 2000 allocation and 49% on the initial 1997 allocation.
I will shortly be announcing the 2002 local government fund allocations to all local authorities.
