Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am going to use my brief few minutes to make a couple of points and the Minister of State's officials might email his response to me at a later date.

Considerable sacrifices have been made by local authorities all over the country. I commend all the workers in local authorities who have helped in the front-line effort throughout the Covid crisis.

Recent grant schemes are very welcome but, sadly, we are doing little more for the SME sector than, effectively, subsidising next year's rates bill. Will the Minister of State's officials confirm to me in writing later today or tomorrow if it is envisaged that the rates holiday of three or four months will be extended? Much of the SME sector, particularly those in hospitality and tourism, could do with that being extended to 12 months.

Will the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government commit to replenishing whatever rates are forgone by local authorities? Smaller local authorities should be prioritised because, as we know, at any given time in a normal year, Fingal County Council might have €100 million on deposit whereas authorities in smaller counties, without the benefit of having Dublin Airport in their rates base, have limited resources. Such authorities do not have the benefit of many services that other local authorities have. For example, local authorities in Mayo and Kerry have four or five tourism officers whereas authorities in Sligo and Leitrim might be lucky to have one.

Those are my questions and they relate to grant aid for people and the business start-up grant, and whether the Minister of State will be in a position to replenish the amounts that are forgone in commercial rates income for local authorities nationally.

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