Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais go dtí an Seanad. I welcome the proposal on revaluation of rates but it should take less time to complete.

There are premises throughout the country with unsustainable rates that were established in the good old days. I encourage the Minister of State to examine them again.

Ten days ago I met four young men who were contemplating re-establishing a business in Dundalk. As well as having difficulty obtaining finance from banks, they are facing an outstanding bill of ¤18,000 in rates, which is astronomical, and an ESB bill. Three of the four men are trying to get off the dole, as Senator Kelly mentioned. I do not know exactly how much dole they are in receipt of but they wanted, and still want, to recommence a business in Dundalk. The sum of ¤18,000 is a phenomenal amount of money. Senator Keane mentioned the situation in Northern Ireland. In Dundalk 14% of retail premises are vacant, that is one in seven.

The Government is serious about creating jobs but people are discouraged by having to pay an outstanding rates bill. In Northern Ireland, businesses get their first year in operation rate free. What about deferring payments to local authorities? Does a deferral depend on how serious a view is adopted by a local authority's county manager, town clerk or financial controller? Prospective business people should be allowed to defer paying rates. Keeping people on the dole costs the State money. We need to balance the books.

I remind the Minister of State that the vast majority of businesses with outstanding rates have paid their just reward over the years. People who have paid their rates are asking what local authorities give in return.

I want to raise the issue of child care but I will not elaborate on it. There should be more child care businesses because they do a lot for preschool children. For example, they encourage young boys and girls to go to national school and give them a great start. We should, therefore, consider the great contribution that such child care has made to society.

Outstanding rates are being sought in Dundalk so the same must be happening in Roscommon, Killarney and elsewhere. I agree with re-evaluating rates. Could we re-evaluate the rates for the 14% of retail premises that are vacant in Dundalk? Could we prioritise businesses that are finding it difficult to pay their rates? Could we include vacant premises in the re-evaluation, particularly those on high streets? If we did then we would create jobs in the immediate future.