Business Support Scheme

The Members of Meath County Council have allocated a fund in the Annual Budget for 2026 to encourage and support businesses in County Meath under the Business Support Scheme 2026.

Purpose of the Scheme

Meath County Council recognises the vital role small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in driving economic growth and sustaining local employment in County Meath. To support these businesses and offset the impact of the approved increase in the Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV) for 2026, the Council has allocated additional funding in its 2026 Annual Budget under Section 66 of the Local Government Act 2001. This funding will expand the Business Support Scheme, ensuring that eligible ratepayers with a 2026 commercial rates bill of €22,100 or less will not pay more than they did in 2025. This initiative provides stability and financial certainty for SMEs during a period of change.

The table below provides some samples of how the grant will be calculated

2026 Business Support Scheme Bands

Conditions of Scheme:

Businesses must:

  • occupy a rated commercial property within Co. Meath. 

  • be liable for commercial rates in both 2025 and 2026.

  • have paid the Commercial Rates (including arrears) relating to the business to the value of their 2025 rates bill in full. 

  • The commercial rates (including arrears) relating to the business must be paid in full on or before 31st July 2026.

  • If paying by Direct Debit, 10 monthly instalments will be requested to the value of the 2025 rates bill. These payments (and any missed payments) must be made on or before 9th December 2026. At that time, the grant will be applied to the rates account for the difference between the 2025 and 2026 rates bill, resulting in a zero balance at year end.
    N.B. payments made by direct debit must commence prior to 8th April 2026

  • Standing Order, EFT, online or payment card payment to be made to the value of the 2025 rates bill must be made on or before 9th December 2026.

At which time the grant will be applied to the rates account for the difference between the 2025 and 2026 rates bill, resulting in a zero balance at year end.
N.B. payments made by standing order must commence prior to 8th April 2026

  • Businesses operating multiple properties within County Meath may only qualify once for the grant. Eligibility is based on the combined annual rates bill across all properties.
     
  • The grant will only apply to customers where their 2026 annual rate bill is €22,100 or less. 

Grant Calculation:

  • Grant Amount = 2026 Rates Bill minus 2025 Rates Bill
  • If the 2026 bill is higher than the 2025 bill, the difference is covered by the grant.
  • If the 2026 bill is equal to or less than the 2025 bill, no grant is issued.

Payment of the Grant: 

  • You do not have to apply for this grant, the grant support measure will be applied by posting a credit to customer Commercial Rates account once the scheme conditions as set out above have been met. 

Summary of Timelines

  • Rates payment deadline: 31st July 2026 (extended to 9th December 2026 if paying by direct debit/ standing order)

  • Eligibility assessment: After 9th December 2026

  • Grant credit applied: December 2026

Queries

If you have any queries on the Business Support Scheme, please email ratesfinance@meathcoco.ie