Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that approximately 5% get a reduction but I am talking about the people who have had increases. I am sorry to harp on about this and this is my second time to raise the issue in the past fortnight. However, the reason is that I am being contacted by local businesses in Kilkenny because of the revaluation that has been conducted in the past 12 months. They are coming to me with increases of 400%, 300% and 200%, which are too much for a business to take in one go. These are small and medium-sized businesses such as publicans, crèches, childminding businesses, which used to pay no rates, and beauticians. They are small businesses that are barely surviving and to go from paying €600 in one year to €2,400 is too much of an increase in one go. I am asking the Minister to change the system and bring the changes in over five years to give these businesses the chance to breathe before getting up to the next level. Three businesses have closed down on High Street in Kilkenny since Christmas. I do not say it is because of rates and it could be for other reasons but it is a sign. We need small and medium-sized businesses, as they are the backbone of employment in this country.

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