Reopening Kilkenny: Most local businesses exempt from paying rates for six-months
Most Kilkenny businesses will not have to pay commercial rates for the six months as part of new measures to help local companies recover from the pandemic.
Kilkenny County Council confirmed the six-month waiver will apply to “all commercial rate payers impacted by Covid-19”, except a small number of businesses that fall into “specific excepted categories”.
It comes after the Government yesterday announced that €600 million has been allocated nationally to fund the cost of the six-month rates waiver for eligible businesses.
The local authority did not specify which sectors would not be able to avail of the rates waiver. But it added: “The rationale for the exclusion of these rate payers is that their operations were not as severely impacted by the pandemic, coupled with the need to direct resources appropriately.”
The council said companies will not be required to formally apply for the waiver, adding: “The Council will automatically apply a 100% credit in lieu of commercial rates, for a six-month period, to classes and categories of occupied rateable property where the occupying business is not in an excepted category.”
Welcoming the announcement, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Andrew McGuinness said: “The Government’s allocation and stimulus package to assist the business community get back up and running and people back to work is very welcome at this time. Kilkenny County Council will continue to support and engage with businesses as part of our #ReOpenKilkenny campaign.”
Further information in relation to the Rates Waiver, including a full list of excepted categories, is available at www.kilkennycoco.ie and queries can be made to the Rates Section on 056-7794209.
