Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to ask about the number of Carlow businesses that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grants. As the Minister will know, and as previous speakers have said, small businesses are very heavily impacted by payroll, taxes, the higher minimum wage, PRSI, paid sick leave and now the new deposit scheme. This tax is an issue that has been raised with me a lot recently.

Businesses are under pressure and there is no doubt about that. I have seen a few recently closing in my own area in Carlow. Other companies have said to me that the warehoused taxes that will be due could have a huge impact on them as well. While I appreciate the work that has been done, I ask the Minister about the commercial rates system, which has been used to identify qualifying businesses. The key payment under the scheme is to be structured as a grant and not as a rates rebate. Therefore, what engagement has occurred with Carlow County Council so they can absorb the loss in any rates?

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