Rates paid to Dublin City Council are down 20 million euro for March, as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak is felt.
Chief Executive, Owen Keegan, says at this point it's not possible to determine the financial impact on cash flow; "as this is subject to the length of time businesses remain closed or trade is restricted, the financial position of each business post Covid-19 and the economy."
But he said; "the position to date on cash flow for March 2020 compared to March 2019 would indicate that receipts for the month are down approximately €20M."
Councillor Daithí Doolan, who says the council faces a very difficult future, with a further 22 million euro in arrears owed from 2019.
"Even when the current crisis passes rates will continue to evaporate as businesses cope with other bills and demands. And many may not even survive this crisis."
He says steps need to be taken to make sure services are not impacted;
"We need to ensure services are protected and that the public do not suffer as a result of the crash in rates. I am calling on all parties to work together and the Minister for Local Government to engage with Dublin City Council to make funding available to compensate for the huge decline in funding."
DCC's Finance Department says the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors have been significantly impacted.
The Government and the County and City Management Association have agreed that local authorities should defer rates payments due from businesses most immediately impacted by Covid-19 for at least three months.
The Finance Department has acknowledged that "flexibility around rates deferral will have implications in terms of cash flow."
