Burke confirms rates waiver extension to year end

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke has welcomed the extension of the commercial rates waiver to the end of the year.

“I am happy to announce that I have secured a further €300 million for our SMEs so that no commercial rates are now due for quarter four. In July, I announced a rates waiver for quarters two and three and €600 million to compensate our local authorities for the loss of this funding scheme.

“I can now announce a further €300 million for local authorities so that they can continue to provide key services unaffected by this loss of income.”

He said a capital spend of €150m had also been set aside for the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (three Athlone projects have been approved for potential funding under this initiative.

Minister Burke also said: “Budget 2021 expected to include biggest ever investment in housing coming in at €3.3 billion. 12,750 new homes will be added to the stock of social housing of which 9,500 will be built. For first time buyers, the Help to Buy Scheme is being extended till December 2021 and the Rebuilding Ireland Home loan has been allocated €210 million”.

“The government are spending a record amount of €24.5 billion on this budget, the largest budget ever seen in this country and eight times higher than last year. This is to stimulate our economy and ensure our public services are funded throughout this crisis.”