Small local businesses are “the lifeblood of the economy” but County Galway can expect more closures and job losses unless there is serious reform of the way rates are collected.
This is the view of Labour’s Galway East candidate Lorraine Higgins, who is calling for a major change in the way rates are calculated for businesses.
Ms Higgins said the current method of evaluation is only “fit for times when businesses are doing well – not when everyone is struggling during a deep recession”.
As a result she is calling for a national review of the rateable valuation for each county and that rates should be applied on turnover only and not on the size of a particular premises.
“Small businesses are crying out for help but if you continue to hammer local businesses, the result will be more closures and job losses,” she said. “Local businesses are struggling and the more help we can give them, the better.”
Ms Higgins said while the local authorities are under financial pressure and seeing their funding drastically reduced they “cannot continue to rely on the local business sector for ‘ready’ income” through rates.
“The Labour Party is also committed to the abolition of upward only rent reviews,” she said, “and I’m calling on the Mayor and his Fine Gael/Independent led alliance in the county council chamber to take action and do something positive for the business community.”
