Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
328 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Government Departments and bodies have assessed which charges levied by them on businesses are amenable to reduction in the short term, or frozen for 24 months; if not, when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20035/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wrote to my Ministerial colleagues in March, asking them to examine all charges which are levied on business by their Departments and associated bodies, with a view to identifying which charges can be reduced, or frozen to the end of 2013 or beyond.
My officials are currently preparing a composite overview of the responses from Government Departments and the bodies under their aegis.
I can confirm, at this stage, that a number of areas have been identified where charges are being reduced or frozen. These include charges relating to certain areas of the Agriculture sector, the aviation and transport sectors, the tourism sector, as well as patent and design fees.
In addition, 68 of the 88 Local Authorities have maintained their Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV) at 2011 levels, while a further 19 have reduced theirs. One Local Authority has increased its ARV, but this is a technical adjustment following the extension of a town boundary. The freezing or reduction of ARVs by the vast majority of Local Authorities will have a positive impact on the commercial rates of enterprises in these Local Authority areas. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, TD, is continuing to examine other charges on business in the agencies and bodies under his remit, to determine the scope for further reductions or freezing of such charges. The Minister will revert to me when this exercise is complete.
