Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
352. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason boarding kennels (details supplied) were not included in the commercial rates waiver; if steps will be made to include them due to the same decimation of their business as those included in the waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12015/21]
View answerGiven the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the associated public health restrictions, and in order to continue supporting ratepayers and local authorities, the Government recently announced that the commercial rates waiver put in place for the first quarter of 2021 will be extended to the second quarter; it applies to businesses most seriously affected by ongoing restrictions.
The 2021 waiver is necessarily more targeted than was the case with the nine month waiver in 2020 and is aimed at businesses closed or very seriously impacted by current restrictions. Automatic eligibility is extended to retail, hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment, personal services such as hairdressers and barbers, health services and various other categories.
In recognition of the fact that there may be ratepayers excluded from the waiver that were severely impacted by the pandemic, it includes a provision that ratepayers not automatically eligible may engage directly with their local authorities, to demonstrate serious financial impact. In such circumstances ratepayers not automatically eligible may also qualify. These applications will be reviewed by local authorities on a case by case basis.
As has been the case since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department will continue to engage with the local government sector and with individual local authorities on the financial impacts of the pandemic. As with all public health measures and associated supports, the waiver of commercial rates will be kept under review.
