Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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68. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funeral directors no longer qualify for a commercial rates waiver for funeral homes, even though due to Covid-19 restrictions homes are not open to the public; if he will be providing them with a rates waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45475/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In order to continue supporting ratepayers, and in recognition of the impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government put in place a targeted commercial rates waiver for the first 9 months 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, and banks 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 plans to broaden the scope of automatic eligibility.