John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support the call by Senator Comiskey regarding the way in which rates for small businesses, particularly those in rural areas, are assessed. I raised this issue on a previous occasion and made the point that there is a pilot scheme in place whereby rates are being assessed on the basis of the turnover and profits of such businesses. At that time, I highlighted the fact that there are pubs in Galway city that are the same square footage as pubs three miles outside of the city but that while the former establishments are packed with people, there might be only two customers in each of latter. However, the owners of all of these establishments pay the same rates. It is no wonder, therefore, that rural Ireland is in decline and that pubs are closing down every day of the week. This all comes down to commercial rates. In terms of supporting Senator Comiskey, I suggest that responsibility for the assessment of rates should be transferred to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners because it has access to the figures relating to the turnover and profits of the pubs to which I refer and would be in a position to make assessments on a pro ratabasis. The pilot scheme to which I refer has worked very well. The busy pubs that are making the most money pay more rates, while those which make less money also pay less. The scheme in question is just not being rolled out quickly enough.