There's concern that over 400 businesses in Roscommon may not reopen after the pandemic.
Senior management at Roscommon County Council told this month's meeting of the local authority that it expects to balance its budget, but
it would not be possible without financial support from central government.
Roscommon County Council Director of Services for Finance, Martin Lydon, says that over 1,350 (1354) businesses out of over 2,100 (2,156)
claimed a rates waiver, which amounts to 3.9 million euro which the local authority is receiving compensation for.
However, there are still 779 accounts with arrears of 1.53 million and 575 accounts are in credit to the tune of 1.1 million euro, which will distort the true picture of what is available funding wise to the local authority.
My Lydon expressed concern over the fact that 456 rate accounts could have applied for this waiver but did not.
He says this could be for various reasons including ineligibility, but there is real concern that many did not because they may have decided they will not re-open again at all.
Businesses in the county have claimed over 8.2 million euro in restart grants and the pandemic unemployment payments have ensured that
rental income has continued.
It's hoped the council can recover loss of income from goods and services and that central government will also cover direct costs of up to 700,000 euro associated with maintaining all services through the restrictions.
This includes 40,000 euro on PPE equipment, 165,000 euro on laptops and IT equipment, 60,000 euro on safety screening, 8,000 euro on advertising and 70,000 euro in housing to ensure incubation units for vulnerable groups.
Based on government support, a decision has been taken to reinstate the General Municipal Area funding of over 255,000 euro but Mr Lydon
has asked that councillors consider maximizing this by dedicating some for match funding or for infrastructural projects.]
