Fingal County Council receives €51,133,353 in commercial rates rebate

                                    -Further rebate to issue in December- 
    - Minister O’Brien writes to Fingal CoCo to re-state support for local government- 
 
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD has written to the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council to reiterate the Government’s support for local government.  
Minister O’Brien sent the letter as the second tranche of commercial rates rebates were issued to local authorities across the country. Fingal County Council has so far received over €50 million with further payments to issue.  
As part of the July Stimulus programme a €600 million commercial rates waiver was announced for businesses impacted by COVID-19. This covered 100% of commercial rates from the end of March to the end of September. As part of Budget 2021 a further €300 million commercial rates waiver was announced to cover rates to the end of the year.  
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “The commercial rates waiver will mean that Fingal won’t be at a loss or having to make ‘either’ ‘or’ decisions when it comes to providing vital services for people. I have been engaging with my party colleagues on Fingal County Council, Cllr Brigid Manton, Cllr Brian Dennehy, Cllr Eoghan O’Brian, Cllr Darragh Butler and Cllr. Adrian Henchy – who have reiterated the need for support for services in these difficult times.  
“I am very aware that commercial rates are the backbone of local authority income which means that services such as playgrounds, sports facilities and library services can keep operating. I want to ensure that Fingal can continue their important work and Government have not been and will not be found wanting in respect to support for the sector.  
“As Fingal County Council begins to engage in their 2021 budgetary process they do so in the knowledge that Government has supported them with a commitment for commercial rates rebates in 2020. 
“I will continue to work with my colleague Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to support local authorities meet costs and income losses that have arisen as a direct consequence of the pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all our local authorities for the exceptional leadership they has shown through their response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” concluded Minister O’Brien.