Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
150. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of businesses in the Cavan County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38645/21]
View answerOne of the earliest priorities for Minister O'Brien and I was to secure exchequer funding to support a waiver of commercial rates for businesses impacted by the pandemic, while simultaneously supporting local authorities. €900m was allocated by Government to fund the cost of a rates waiver from 27 March to 27 December 2020. This meant that for eligible businesses their commercial rates were funded by Government for nine months of 2020. This was an unprecedented measure, which offered support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities.
Payments to the local authorities in respect of the 2020 waiver were completed in early 2021. A total of approximately €730m was distributed among the 31 local authorities. Cavan County Council waived commercial rates for nine months of 2020 on an estimated 1689 rate accounts, including 4 valid appeals, at a total cost of €5.97m, which was recouped from the Department.
Given the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the associated public health restrictions, and in order to continue supporting ratepayers and local authorities, the Government introduced a commercial rates waiver for the first nine months of 2021. This waiver applies to businesses most seriously affected by ongoing restrictions.
The businesses eligible for the waiver include:
- retail;
- hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment;
- personal services such as hairdressers and barbers; and
- health services.
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 that are not automatically eligible, may also qualify. These applications are being reviewed by local authorities on a case by case basis.
The administration by local authorities of the 2021 waiver is ongoing and the information requested is not yet available regarding the 2021 waiver.
