Eoin O’Driscoll calls for lower commercial rates

Many businesses are struggling at the moment, dealing with high and rising costs of doing business.

Local businesses sit at the heart of our communities and need to be supported as they deal with a challenging business environment.

The Government has provided significant supports, worth €257 million, through the Increased Cost of Doing Business Grant. This is a vital measure to support small and medium businesses. Applications for the grant open on Thursday 14^th March 2024 and I would encourage any eligible businesses to apply before the 1^st May 2024 deadline.

You can find more information in the scheme here.

I am calling on local governments, particularly Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, to step up and support local businesses through a reduction of commercial rates. I have spoken to many local businesses in recent weeks who are facing increased rates in an already extremely difficult business context.

Government, at a national and local level, needs to better support local enterprise. For this reason I am advocating for reduced commercial rates and I have submitted a motion to that effect to the upcoming Fine Gael Árd Fheis.