Galway sports clubs will be exempt from paying commercial rates on the non-profit parts of their buildings following a decision made this week by the Government.
The decision, passed yesterday, will reduce the overall rates bill of clubs, and it has been welcomed by Labour city councillor Niall McNelis.
Sports clubs had previously been in what Cllr McNelis called the “confusing position” of, if they had a bar on their premises, the club paying commercial rates on the entire premises, including those parts of the building that were non-profit such as dressing rooms and storage facilities.
“This decision will free up vital funds within clubs which can be channelled into buying new equipment, improving facilities, or encouraging new members to join,” he said. “Local sports clubs and organisations play a vital role in binding communities together, and often they do so on minuscule budgets.”
