County Galway businesses complain of 'inconsistencies' in commercial rates in Athenry
County Galway businesses have complained about an unfairness in the commercial rates they have been asked to pay.
Fine Gael Councillors David Collins and Peter Feeney said a number of businesses in Athenry have flagged with them ‘inconsistencies’ in the level of rates they are paying.
Tailte Éireann assigns the payable rate to each business and it is collected by Galway County Council.
Councillor Collins said businesspeople in Athenry had contacted him about commercial rates. Some businesses with smaller units were being asked to pay less than their neighbours with larger premises, he said.
There was confusion, too, about how the rates are calculated and Councillor Collins said he could not find the relevant information.
At the latest Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District meeting he called for clarity.
Councillor Feeney said some businesspeople perceive inconsistencies in how rates apply to different businesses.
Director of Services Liam Hanrahan said the valuation is carried out by Tailte Éireann who have criteria for how they calculate rates on their website.
It included size of the premises but also things like profitability.
Galway County Council can engage with individual businesses who are struggling to pay rates to devise a payment plan, he said.
Businesses can also appeal the rate that they have been assigned.
Mr Hanrahan agreed to circulate the Tailte Éireann’s set of criteria for valuing rates.