The Stormont Executive has agreed proposals which would ease the impact of continued contributions towards sewerage and water services for businesses and other non-domestic customers in 2009/10.

The cost of the proposals to the Executive is £17m.

The Executive had previously unanimously agreed that existing non-domestic payments for water and sewerage should be extended in full from April 2009.

Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, said: "The proposals we have agreed represent a significant saving for many non-domestic customers compared to the planned phasing-in of full water and sewerage payments."

-- Advertisement --

Mr Murphy said the move would help reduce the impact on smaller consumers, with no phased increase for many and a new allowance for customers who are metered.

"Some larger consumers will see significant increases. The Executive cannot meet all the new costs without having a serious impact on other priority social programmes. But, with around £17m of anticipated revenue foregone, the Executive is sharing the pain with non-domestic customers," said the Minister.

"Of course, we will continue to look for ways of reducing burdens on businesses. The proposals the Executive has agreed will make a contribution to that," added Mr Murphy.

(PR/JM)