Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 September 2021
70. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to waive commercial rates owed to local authorities beyond the end of September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45608/21]
View answerIn order to continue supporting ratepayers, and in recognition of the impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government put in place a targeted commercial rates waiver from January to end September 2021. The 2021 rates waiver scheme 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. €480m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of the 2021 commercial rates waiver. There are currently no plans to extend the waiver beyond the end of September 2021.
