Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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766. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason that agriculture marts are not eligible for a waiver in respect of commercial rates as part of Covid-19 measures; if he will review this matter with a view to applying a waiver to marts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In order to continue supporting ratepayers, and in recognition of the ongoing impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government has put in place a new, more targeted commercial rates waiver for the first half of 2021. It applies to businesses most seriously affected by the restrictions. Automatic eligibility is extended to hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment, personal services such as hairdressers and barbers, and various other sectors. Categories of commercial property, such as offices, industrial premises (including in this case livestock marts), banks and vacant properties are not automatically eligible, but may qualify if they can provide proof of serious impact to their local authority. As provision has been made for businesses that do not automatically qualify to apply, there are no current plans to broaden the scope of automatic eligibility.