Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1332. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the business rates legislative proposals published since the Government took office; and the proposals that have been enacted to date. [36919/18]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018 was published by the Government on 9 August 2018. Given that the current legislative basis for the levying and collection of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century, the Bill contains proposals for some modernisation and consolidation of the legislation governing commercial rates. Included in the provisions are:

- the removal of the requirement for ratepayers to pay their annual bill in two instalments (moieties) and allow ratepayers to pay rates by instalments or a payment plan agreed with the local authority;

- schemes for the abatement of rates on vacant properties;

- power for local authorities to introduce rates waiver schemes to support local and national policy objectives;

- the levying of interest on unpaid and overdue rates; and

- unpaid rates to be a charge on relevant property.

I intend to seek time in the forthcoming Oireachtas session to have the Bill proceed through the Oireachtas as efficiently as possible.