Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has considered reinstating the rates waiver for vacant premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Given the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the associated public health restrictions and in order to continue supporting ratepayers and local authorities, the Government recently announced that the commercial rates waiver put in place for the first quarter of 2021 will be extended to the second quarter; it applies to businesses most seriously affected by ongoing restrictions.

The 2021 waiver is necessarily more targeted than was the case in 2020 and is aimed at supporting businesses closed or very seriously impacted by current restrictions, which ordinarily provide employment and generate economic activity. Automatic eligibility is extended to retail, hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment, personal services such as hairdressers and barbers, health services and various other categories. All vacant property (i.e. vacant property as is ordinarily understood for rates purposes) is excluded from the waiver in line with the objective of targeting support where it has most impact.

As has been the case since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department will continue to engage with the local government sector and with individual local authorities on the financial impacts of the pandemic. As with all public health measures and associated supports, the waiver of commercial rates will be kept under review.