Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
487. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to extending the 2021 commercial rates waiver to credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17039/21]
View answer503. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering extending the commercial rates waiver to credit unions and community-based co-operatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17519/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 503 together.
In order to continue supporting ratepayers, and in recognition of the ongoing impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government has put in place a new, more targeted commercial rates waiver for the first half of 2021. It applies to businesses most seriously affected by the restrictions. Automatic eligibility is extended to hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment, personal services such as hairdressers and barbers, and various other sectors. Categories of commercial property, such as offices, industrial premises, banks, building societies and credit unions are not automatically eligible, but may qualify if they can provide proof of serious impact to their local authority. As provision has been made for businesses that do not automatically qualify to apply, there are no current plans to broaden the scope of automatic eligibility.
