ENVIRONMENT MINISTER TO MEET COUNCIL DEPUTATION

Date Published: 31-Oct-2012

Environment Minister Phil Hogan is to meet a deputation from the city council next week over commercial rates on vacant buildings. (13 Nov)

The deputation will argue for a major change in the refund of rates, which currently stands at 100 percent.

However, other local authorities such as Limerick and Cork City councils grant just 50 percent refund of rates.

Galway City Council argue that the 100 percent rebate does not provide any incentive for landlords to reduce rent in order to attract new tenants.

It also resulted in a loss in revenue to the city coffers of almost 2 million euro last year.

Councillor Padraig Conneely says they will now ask the Minister to change the collection rate on vacant properties to 50 percent