Business rates revaluation
Deputy Troy warns that delayed valuation legislation will leave small businesses facing steep rates increases, with bills due to kick in on 1 January. The Minister says the Valuation Office will move departments and that both the rates and valuation Bills will be prioritised early in the new year.
Early last year, many small businesses across various counties, Longford and Westmeath being two, received rates revaluation bills. In some cases, the revalued rates were in excess of 400% higher. At the time, if the Taoiseach would care to listen, the Government and many Deputies on the Government side reassured small businesses and told them that a new valuation Bill would be introduced before these bills kicked in. The new bills will kick in on 1 January 2018 but, as a result of a parliamentary question I asked last week, I have learned that the new valuation legislation is still in the Attorney General's office, where it has been since last April. When are struggling businesses going to see the new valuation Bill introduced in the House in order to ensure that they pay affordable commercial rates? If something is not done-----
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-----the Government will throw many small businesses to the wolves and see them close their doors in the new year.
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This bill will be worse for commercial traders.
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Today, the Cabinet agreed to transfer the Valuation Office from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The latter is also responsible for the rates Bill. I am eager to prioritise the passage of both Bills early in the new year-----
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The third Department in 18 months.
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-----because I am aware of the difficulties small businesses are facing. I have seen this happen - and the impact it can have on small businesses - in my own constituency, so it will be a priority for me in the new year.