10pc rates cut piles pressure on all councils
FINGAL: 'We must help businesses'
business rates in Fingal are set to be reduced by 10.5pc for the coming year -- piling on pressure for more cuts across the country.
The initiative will cost Fingal County Council around €14m in income, if it is passed by councillors on January 7, but they hope to make up the deficit by cutting back on spending.
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County manager David O'Connor has recommended the reduction in his budget submission, noting that the council wants to acknowledge "the strains and pressures businesses are under at the moment".
Fine Gael's enterprise spokesperson Leo Varadkar said the council would be "setting an example for the whole country" if the 10.5pc reduction is approved. The council is also set to consider reducing water charges for businesses by 6pc.
"By cutting rates and water charges, the council will be sending a clear signal to central government, the banks, landlords and semi-states and will put more pressure on them to reduce their prices and charges too," said Mr Varadkar.
Earlier this month, Dublin Chamber of Commerce called on all four local authorities in the capital to reduce their rates by 10pc to protect jobs.
Subsequently, South Dublin reduced their commercial rates by 2.9pc, while Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown and Dublin City councils slashed rates by 2pc.
Mr Varadkar said: "Protecting jobs must be our number one priority and the best way to do this is to support private sector enterprises which provide 70pc of all employment in the State." The statutory budget Meeting will be held early next month, with Mr O'Connor outlining his priorities as ensuring the maintenance of services at current levels and quality services at the lowest possible costs.
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"Having regard to the exceptional levels of growth in Fingal over the past ten years, the challenge of maintaining services at current levels, against a background of funding difficulties, will prove difficult," he said.
Fingal councillor Kieran Dennison has described the proposed 10.5pc cut as "a much- needed shot in the arm for local businesses and local jobs".
"Businesses have been hit hard making this rate reduction even more significant."
kdoyle@herald.ie
- Kevin Doyle, POLITICAL REPORTER
