Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this year's budget. I know it will help families and households, but I have had a lot of contact from local businesses in my area that are excluded from the increased cost of business scheme. In particular, pubs and supermarkets in Lucan and Palmerstown are among those businesses that have been in touch. They are in the hospitality and retail sectors, which are really labour-intensive and which also require, by their very nature, a large footprint, which, therefore, increases their rates bills. Based on their rates bills, they will not qualify for Government support, even though they are among the industries most impacted by the increase in the minimum wage, the new bank holiday and mandatory sick pay. Will the Government re-examine the scheme or look to see how we can support these businesses with their costs?

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