Mattie McGrath presses for rates relief for Tipperary traders
Deputy Mattie McGrath raised concerns about prolonged roadblocks in Tipperary Town and urged rates relief for 27 small traders hit by reduced footfall. He asked the minister to ensure local authorities recognise the impact on long‑standing businesses and consider targeted rates alleviation.
Issue raised
McGrath acknowledged that a task force has been set up in Tipperary Town but said roadblocks have been ongoing for nearly a year. He emphasised that 27 small traders remain high‑spirited and determined to keep the town open for business despite the disruption.
Impact on traders
He reported that businesses are being very adversely affected, with a downturn in footfall and larger businesses reducing staff. Small businesses, he said, are barely hanging on and need recognition for their role in revitalising the town.
Appeal for rates relief
The deputy urged the County Council or local authority to listen to the traders and show understanding in their rates demands while the inconvenience continues. He called for targeted support for long‑term local businesses facing sustained disruption.
Minister's response
The minister replied that he will speak to the local authority about any unnecessary delays in the roadworks because they can have a large impact on businesses. He also noted that rates alleviation is a decision for councillors, and he will raise with the local authority whether targeted rates relief could be considered.
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I acknowledge that you have set up a task force in Tipperary Town, but we have a further problem ongoing there and there's 27 small traders there and they're very high spirited and want to ensure that Tipperary Town is open for business and will remain open for business. But there's a question really for Minister Murphy. The roadblocks are ongoing on there in the town now for nearly over a year and the businesses are being very adversely affected and the County Council or nobody else will listen to them and acknowledge in their rates. Small businesses are barely hanging on. Big businesses have left off people because of the downturn in the footfall with the roadblocks. While we welcome them, there must be an appreciation of these hard-working 27 business people, long-term business people, that they get some understanding with their rates and their rates demands while this inconvenience is going on. It's going on 12 months, as I said now, and it needs to be some acknowledgement for the role that they play in revitalising the town. Mr Murphy. Thank you, Deputy, for the question. I'll speak to the local authority about whether or not there's been any unnecessary delays in relation to the roadworks because they can have a very large impact on businesses there. In relation to rates alleviation, that is for allowed for in the rates bill to be a decision by councillors to make if they want to target particular parts of a county or particular businesses to help support them in difficult times or to help encourage a particular type of economic activity. So I'll speak to the local authority about that as well. Thank you. Thank you very much.
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