Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
445. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider the issues pertaining to his Department raised by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22623/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. An initial three-month waiver of rates for businesses forced to close business due to COVID-19, was announced in early May.
In order to enhance the supports available for enterprise, and in recognition of the fact that not only have many ratepayers been forced to close business due to the public health requirements, but many others that remained open have suffered significant reductions in turnover, this waiver has now been extended to six months to 27 September 2020 and the categories of enterprise that are eligible have been expanded.
A 100% waiver will be applied to all businesses, for a six-month period to 27 September, with the exception of a small number of categories. The rationale for the exclusion of certain categories of ratepayers is that their operations were not as severely impacted by the pandemic, coupled with the need to direct resources appropriately. To support both the local government sector and the ratepayers impacted, €600m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates for six months for eligible businesses, which will take the form of a credit in lieu of rates.
Local authorities have been provided with guidance on the waiver and should automatically apply a 100% credit in lieu of commercial rates, for a six-month period, to classes and categories of occupied rateable property where the occupying business is not in an excluded category.
In order to support the local government sector, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will continue to work with all local authorities on both collective and individual issues arising.
