John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Several local authorities have put in place arrangements to allow businesses to pay their rates in two instalments. Rates have not increased in all local authorities, even though their budgets are being agreed. Across the country rates have remained the same. One of the key features of local government reform is that there will be derogations.

It will be important for local enterprise offices that there will be critical involvement of local government in the establishment of the development of towns and villages. They will have discretion to encourage development where there is vacant property.

Most important, I am conscious of the pressure on business. Fully 87 out of the 88 rating authorities have either reduced the annual rate on valuation, ARV, or kept it at the same level as 2012, with an average decrease in the ARV from 2012 to 2013 of 0.34%.

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