Laois businesses have received a boost with the news that the current commercial rates waiver has been extended for an additional three months to include July, August and September.
According to Minister for State Sean Fleming, the objective of the waiver, which has been in place since April 2020, is to support local businesses as they adjust to the reopening of the economy and recover following a very difficult period due to this pandemic.
He said: “Eligibility for the waiver remains the same and automatically applies to the retail sector, hospitality – including hotels/pubs and restaurants/leisure and entertainment -, personal services such as hairdressers and barbers, health services and various other categories.
“The Government will continue to support local authorities to ensure they continue to carry out their frontline work.
“Key services including road maintenance, public lighting, development control and provision of parks and open spaces all contribute to creating an environment for these business to operate successfully.
“When this waiver was first introduced Laois County Council received €5,878,614.62 funding under the scheme between April and December 2020 to ensure the Council had sufficient funding as local rate payers bills were waived.
“I would like to wish all Laois businesses every success in the future and encourage our local communities to support them as we see the reopening of the economy in the coming weeks.
“This rates waiver will aid these businesses and help get the local economy back on its feet.”
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