LIMERICK City and County Council recognises the financial pressures being experienced by certain sectors and encourages any ratepayers experiencing difficulties in paying their commercial rates to get in contact.
The Council is dealing with difficulties experienced by ratepayers on a case by case basis, as the impact is not uniform.
In particular, businesses, such as those in the hospitality sector, small and medium retailers and children’s play centres have been identified as ones that could be adversely affected initially.
The Council will also suspend the issuing of all legal proceedings during this period.
While the identified types of businesses may be most impacted initially, Limerick City and County Council is also cognisant that in a prolonged Covid-19 situation, the categories of ratepayers experiencing difficulties may change.
Income from commercial rates makes up approximately one third of Limerick City and County Council’s budget per annum and is critical for the continuing operations of services, such as Fire and Emergency Services, Flooding Emergency Responses, Street Cleaning and other key services.
As these circumstances are unprecedented the Council will continue to monitor the situation on a day to day basis. Senior Management have been meeting on a daily basis since the coronavirus was first confirmed in Ireland and will continue to do so until the government and health experts say it is safe to resume our ‘new normal’ life.
The Council also offers supports to the Small and Medium Business Sector and Tourism Sector and the qualifying criteria have been amended as a result of the current situation.
Small and Medium Business Support Scheme
The rebate will be paid as a financial support to occupiers of commercial properties with total annual commercial Rates bills of up to and including €25,000 in 2020.
The support payment, aimed specifically at small and medium-sized enterprises, is set at 9% of the annual cost of commercial rates for the rated occupier up to a maximum of €1,000.
In light of the current circumstances, the Council will be extending the date to qualify for this rebate.
Tourism Sector Support Scheme
The Tourism Sector Support Scheme will pay a financial support to occupiers of commercial properties where commercial rates liability is greater than €25,000 and directly linked to the Tourism and Hospitality Sector.
The property types that qualify for the scheme include Hotels, Licensed Premises, Restaurants/ Cafes and Hostels.
The support grant payment is aimed specifically at the Tourism Sector is 4% of the total Rates, including arrears, for 2020.
In light of the current circumstances, the Council will be extending the date to qualify for this rebate.
For more information about the support schemes or to discuss payment arrangements, business owners are asked to contact their Revenue Collector or [email protected] or 061 556360.
Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Finance with Limerick City and County Council Sean Coughlan said: “Limerick City and County Council is aware of the impact the measures introduced by the government to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 are having on the business sector in Limerick.
I am urging those experiencing difficulty to contact their Revenue Collector to discuss their situation. I am also urging eligible businesses to look at the Small and Medium Business and Tourism Sector Support Schemes to see if they are eligible.”
“Limerick City and County Council is in constant contact with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the local government representative body, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to discuss the financial impact Covid-19 is having on the local, regional and national economy.”
Meanwhile the Government has announced a separate package of supports for businesses impacted by Covid-19.
Supports announced by the Department of Business, Enterprise and innovation
The details have been announced by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation can be viewed on https://dbei.gov.ie/Djei/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/March/10032020.html
More information on these supports will be on the Limerick Local Enterprise Office (LEO) website localenterprise.ie/limerick, when it becomes available from the government and Enterprise Ireland. You can contact LEO Limerick on [email protected] or 061 557499.
Vincent Murray, Director of Economic Development with Limerick City and County Council said: “It is important that businesses are able to access government supports when required. LEO Limerick will be there to offer support and assistance to those eligible companies, and will work in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the Department to help businesses through the Covid-19 crisis.”
