Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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326. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing a reduction in commercial rates as an incentive for new businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18209/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.  The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation of each property determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function.

Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for a consolidated Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. Among the measures being considered for inclusion in the General Scheme of the Bill are provisions to allow a local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support specific national and local policy objectives.

My Department's work on the General Scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage and, subject to Government approval, I hope to be able to submit proposals to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government for pre-legislative scrutiny shortly.