Date: 27 July 2020
Green Party Spokesperson for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Steven Matthews TD has broadly welcomed the recent Government announcement that offers SMEs a commercial rates waiver until the end of September.
Discussing the issue, Deputy Matthews said:
‘This is something that businesses have been calling for in recent months and I was glad to see it included in the July Stimulus package. SMEs across the board need our support and I hope that this measure helps in a small way towards getting businesses into a healthier financial position. I have met with many small business owners since the lockdown and I have been shown first-hand the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on them.
‘As a former Wicklow County Councillor, the importance of reimbursing the local authorities is at the forefront of my mind as commercial rates make up such an important part of their annual income stream. Local Authorities cannot take any further financial cuts and its extremely important that reimbursement to Wicklow County Council and local authorities across the country is not delayed.
There is no application process required for this scheme. Wicklow County Council will automatically apply a 100% credit in lieu of commercial rates, for a six-month period. If a business qualifies for the six-month credit in lieu of rates but has already paid its full rates bill for 2020, a refund or credit will be arranged by the Council.
‘We must continue to follow the most up to date public health advice but for most businesses here in Wicklow and across the country, the best stimulus or help that they can get is having people spending. I would encourage everyone, if they are in a position to, to support your local economy this summer and shop local as much as they can’, Deputy Matthews concluded.
Comments