Councils owed €325m in unpaid commercial rates

Almost €325m is owed to local authorities by businesses as the level of outstanding commercial rates has risen dramatically in recent years.

Figures published by the Department of the Environment show €324,959,370 was uncollected by councils at the end of 2010, the latest year for which comparative audited figures are available.

It represents a 137% increase in the amount owed by ratepayers to their local councils since 2008 when the start of the economic downturn began to take effect.