Proposed rates rebate compared to a 'Ponzi scheme'
Cllr Christy Hyland slammed the Government's proposed rates rebate scheme
A local councillor has compared a proposed Government rates rebate scheme to a ‘Ponzi scheme’.
Independent Cllr Christy Hyland made his comments at yesterday’s budget meeting for Westport-Belmullet Municipal District where he criticised a Government scheme that would see businesses that pay up to €20,000 in commercial rates refunded half of what they pay in the first quarter of next year.
Cllr Hyland said many of the businesses who would qualify for this scheme will have to pay even higher rates next year due to a recent revaluation of rates.
“If a business pays €4,000 in rates in 2023, they are entitled to get €2,000 back next year but the problem is that their rates might have gone up to between €8,000 and €12,000. It’s a Ponzi scheme."
Cllr Hyland said 16 premises in Westport have closed their doors in recent years and he expects more to follow due to the increase in rates and energy costs.
“Are the Government trying to hand the next election to Sinn Féin? This is a sham. How dare any member of the Government insult a business owner paying under €20,000 in rates with this three-card trick,” he said.
Cllr Gerry Coyle, who owns a service station in Belmullet, told the meeting that he is one of many business owners affected by a dramatic increase in rates. He has appealed his rate increase but said this has been a strenuous process.
“My business has been classified as though I’m in the middle of Dublin city, as though I am within walking distance of a hospital and other services.”
“There was another business owner in the area whose rates were increased, even though nobody came out to her premises. They told her they had called to the business when she rang them up but she had the only set of keys."
Cllr Coyle said an increase in rates is affecting rural businesses in particular.
“It is a struggle at the moment. The only shop left in Carrowteige is struggling and if it doesn’t survive, it will mean a 45-mile round trip for a litre of milk for people in that area.”
