Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has announced a €600m fund to cover the cost of a commercial rates waiver for businesses forced to close and businesses that experienced significant negative economic disruption due to COVID-19.
Local Authorities across the country will be provided with credit in lieu of rates. This will apply to all ratepayers for the period 27 March to 27 September 2020, with a limited number of exceptions.
Minister O’Brien said, “Today, the Government has agreed an extension to the current commercial rates waiver programme, to support both the local government sector and the ratepayers impacted by the Covid-19 emergency.
“Local authorities have faced an extraordinary period, with unprecedented financial and cash flow difficulties combined with an ever increasing need to provide vital public services. It’s therefore vital that the cost of this commercial rates waiver, expected to be approximately €600 million, will be met by the Exchequer.
“Our city and county councils are always there to provide the public with the key services they require but their response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been phenomenal. The speed at which they mobilised, setting up community initiatives has provided great support to those who needed it most. I want to thank them sincerely for their efforts to date and the work they continue to do,” he concluded.
