Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
621. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct local authorities to design a rate scheme to support businesses damaged in the recent severe flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45997/15]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority and I as the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government have no direct function or involvement in the matter.
The Local Government (Rates) Act 1970 provides for the operation of rates waiver schemes. Under the provisions, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme providing for a waiver of all or a portion of commercial rates due by ratepayers in respect of a specified class or classes of property. The formulation of such a scheme is a matter reserved for the elected members of the relevant local authority and is subject to my consent as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The Government decided on 8 December 2015 to allocate €5m to provide emergency humanitarian support to small businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded arising from the impact of Storm Desmond. The scheme is being overseen by the Department of Defence and is being administered by the Irish Red Cross. Details in relation to the scheme are available on the Red Cross website.
