Kildare TDs slams 'unfair' increases in commercial rates for Kildare properties

Kildare TD Fiona O'Loughlin hit out at what she branded 'unfair' increases in the rates being charged for commercial property in the wake of a revaluation of their rental values in recent weeks.

The Kildare County Council reevaluated properties all over Kildare and began issuing firms with these updated valuations in early March, meaning that many of the 5,800 commercial rate payers in Kildare will be hit with significant increases from 2018 onwards.

Commercial rates are a property tax on business premises and account for a large chunk of Irish city and county councils annual incomes.  Businesses can appeal the valuation to an independent tribunal but this process does not affect the council’s multiplier which is set as part of the authority’s budget.

Deputy O'Loughlin was not the only one to speak out on the matter, with fellow Fianna Fáil party member James Lawless opening the discussion on the matter by highlighting the fact that the smallest sole traders are being treated the same as large multinational companies.

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Kildare South TD Fiona O’Loughlin spoke on the matter in the Dáil on Wednesday, highlighting significant and unfair increases in commercial rates in Kildare.

Deputy O’Loughlin said “We need to do everything in our power to ensure our SME’s can be competitive and these unsustainable increases hampers their ability to provide employment and services in the county.”  She also highlighted the fact that the hospitality industry has been particularly hard hit by these increases and the fact that businesses are already struggling with increased insurance costs.

The Deputy concluded that “Many businesses have contacted my office with serious concerns about the increased rates they will have to pay from 2018 onwards.  Local businesses need to be supported in our recovering economy and these rate increases make it increasingly difficult for them to do business”.