Sinn Fein has raised concerns after a number of small businesses have been hit with rate increases of between 50% and 100%.

Spokesperson on Local Government, Eoin Ó Broin TD, is calling for the upcoming Commercial Rates Bill to be "overhauled".

Deputy Ó Broin said: "Rate revaluations are currently taking place in local authority areas across the State. This laborious process commenced in 2001 and is not due to be completed until 2020.

-- Advertisement --

"These are local businesses that weathered the recession and are just about to consider hiring new staff or restoring wage cuts suffered during that difficult time.

"Instead these businesses are being hit with large and unjustified rate increases. The truth is this current rates system is deeply unfair and it contains huge anomalies which is bad for workers, employers and the local economy.

"The valuation process is opaque and deeply unfair. The decisions at times defy logic. The time lapse between valuations is too long.

"The government must seize the opportunity of the upcoming Rates Bill to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of this antiquated system that clearly isn't fit for purpose."

(CD/LM)