Cork Chamber, the voice of business in Cork, has expressed concern that the imposition of a 9.8% increase in non-domestic water tariffs will place additional strain on businesses already struggling with rising operating costs and global trade uncertainties.
Director of Public and International Affairs at Cork Chamber, Cathal McSweeney, said, “In the current context of global economic uncertainty, protecting and enhancing Ireland’s international competitiveness must be prioritised in all government decision-making. This week’s announcement of a 9.8% increase in non-domestic water tariffs by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) represents a further cost burden for business and will have an acute impact on SMEs, as well as many large indigenous and multinational businesses.
“At a time when overheads are increasing for many in the business community, excessive cost increases should be avoided. Cork Chamber is engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through the recently established Cost of Business Advisory Forum to advocate for measures that will mitigate the impact of the increased cost of doing business on SMEs, and we will continue to represent the views and concerns of Cork Chamber members on this and other forums.
“Cork Chamber made a submission to the public consultation on the proposed water tariff increases earlier this year, calling on the CRU to favour the lowest proposed tariff rate increase of 1.7%. While there is a clear need to finance investment in water and wastewater services to facilitate much-needed housing developments, this should be achieved through ringfenced funding for Uisce Éireann, that does not put an unfair burden on businesses that are already under pressure.”