DONEGAL County Council has had to write off well over €3.4M in unpaid rates.
And the council is still owed €11.4M in unpaid revenues, a council report shows.
The astonishing debts to the county council does include business ratepayers who have since closed down or are struggling to meet the demands.
But just €2.4M in the current outstanding debt is being paid off through agreed payment plans.
“Donegal County Council recognises the financial constraints currently being experienced by businesses in the county, including reduced overdraft capacity and cash and liquidity issues, with this being reflected in businesses’ capacity to pay in a timely fashion,” said Finance Director Garry Martin in his report.
He continued: “However the council remains committed working in a proactive and positive manner with each individual business to ensure that payment is being made commensurate with each business’s capacity to pay during any given period.”
He also showed figures to councillors which showed that rates collected in 2011 was just over €15M – €1M less than in 2010.
However rate collection to date in 2012 was up on last year, he said.
Rate collection until the end of May this year was more than €7M – up 10 per cent on last year…an extra €700k.
“This is positive and reaffirms the council’s objective in its endeavours to increase collection, reduce arrears and increase buoyancy during 2012,” Mr Martin added.
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