Malcolm Byrne
Question:76. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans he has to reform local government funding, in particular with regard to commercial rates. [65824/25]
View answerTuesday, 25 November 2025
Questions (76)
Written answers
Commercial rates income makes a significant contribution to the funding of services provided by local authorities such as roads, footpaths, the public realm, litter management, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces; all essential elements to create the environment in which businesses can prosper. Rates income provides between 13% and 43% of total funding at individual local authority level, averaging 24% nationally.
The Government recognised the need to modernise the collection of commercial rates and the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 was passed by the Oireachtas and enacted on 11 July 2019. Local authorities are levying and collecting rates under the new legal rates framework since 1 January 2024.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, a Local Democracy Taskforce has been established to reform and strengthen local government. Its Terms of Reference sets out an ambitious and detailed work programme, which is expected to give rise to a series of reforms in the local government sector. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals for Government consideration, including in the area of enhancing local authorities’ fiscal autonomy. The Taskforce met for the first time on 26 June 2025, and is to deliver its recommendations early next year. I look forward to engaging across Government on this important issue next year.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 33.