Businesses ‘ripped off’ by local authority rate charges

LIMERICK city is Ireland’s blackspot for business rates, according to a survey by employers’ group IBEC.

The lobby group said businesses were being “ripped-off” by local authorities, which had hiked charges by an average of 35% over the last three years. IBEC enterprise director Brendan Butler said rates levels were inconsistent and that businesses in Limerick city were charged 66% more than their equivalents in Kilkenny.

“It begs the question, what extra services are companies in Limerick getting over those in Kilkenny,” said Mr Butler.