Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the Government’s decision to issue a second tranche of commercial rates rebates to local authorities, including Wexford County Council.

The July Stimulus programme included a €600 million commercial rates waiver related to business impacted by COVID-19. As this measure covered 100% of commercial rates from the end of March to the end of September, a further €300 million commercial rates waiver was announced in Budget 2021 to cover 100% of rates until the end of the year. In a normal year, the County Council would not collect 100% of rates, which means that the Council will receive a larger amount than initially budgeted.

Commenting Minister Browne said,

“The commercial rates waiver will mean that Wexford County Council won’t be at a loss or having to make ‘either’ ‘or’ decisions when it comes to providing vital services for people. I have been engaging with my party colleagues on Wexford County Council (Cllr Aidan Browne, Cllr Andrew Bolger, Cllr Barbara Anne-Murphy, Cllr Donal Kenny, Cllr Garry Laffan, Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cllr John Fleming, Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cllr Michael Whelan, Cllr Pip Breen, and Cllr Willie Kavanagh) who have reiterated the need for support for services in these difficult times.

Commercial rates are the backbone of local authority income, which means that services such as playgrounds, sports facilities and library services remain operational. I want to ensure that Wexford can continue their important work and Government have not been and will not be found wanting in respect to support for the sector. As Wexford County Council begins to engage in their 2021 budgetary process they do so in the knowledge that Government has supported them with a commitment for commercial rates rebates in 2020.

I will continue to work with my Government colleagues, including Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, and Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to support local authorities meet costs and income losses that have arisen as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to commend Wexford County Council for their exceptional leadership embedded in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” concluded Minister Browne.