There are commitments in the programme for Government relating to small family-run businesses, many of which are experiencing significant difficulties with local authorities and the Valuation Office regarding accruals of rates on properties that continue to be rated despite the fact that many of them are no longer in use or are not fit for purpose. The Valuation Office uses the phrase "fit for beneficial use" to describe these properties. I ask that some clear direction be given to local authorities about how these accruals of rates are being dealt with. While I acknowledge we passed a rates Bill in July, this situation is unfair to businesses with properties that they are not using that need to be de-rated. The Valuation Office is not doing this.

As the Deputy is aware, the new rates Bill was enacted in July. It gives local authorities more flexibility in terms of the application of rates. The point of that Bill, and I remember it because I was the Minister when we were designing it initially, was to permit more local input into how rates are designed within certain counties.