Business group slams ‘confusing’ development levies

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland has criticised the "ad hoc and confusing" way that development levies are imposed on companies throughout the country.

The business group said the levy schemes being implemented by the various local authorities differed greatly depending on location.

It said the levies imposed varied by as much as €22,000-a-year and this was hampering entrepreneurship.

In Dublin city, a development of 200 square metres attracts a levy of €23,000, while Galway City Council only charges €1,300 for a project of the same size.

The CCI has called on the Government to tackle the confusion by establishing a transparent method for calculating charges countrywide.