Council: Some businesses are struggling to pay bills

AS the recession deepens, an increasing number of hard-pressed Limerick city centre traders are unable to keep up with rates payments, the city council confirmed yesterday.

Acting head of finance at the council Mark Connolly said: “Definitely, these are more challenging times and we have noticed more businesses struggling to pay their rates bills. Things have got progressively worse and some people are in severe trouble.” He said they have given extensions into 2009 to some businesses for rates due last July.

While the council was prepared to discuss repayment reviews with retailers with cash flow problems, he said there cannot be any question of write-offs, due their own cash demands.