To ask the Minister of Finance whether Estate Agents will be included in 100 per cent Non-Domestic Rates Relief planned in 2021/22.

The business rate relief measures which I announced on 11 March 2021 were informed by updated expert research from the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre. This research recognised that whereas most sectors of the economy have been impacted by the ongoing crisis, some have been impacted more significantly than others. This work assisted the Executive in its decision on the scale and targeting of rate relief to business sectors for the coming year. Statutory Regulations will shortly be made and these will detail the specified business uses to be included for relief within the retail, hospitality, leisure, tourism, childcare and manufacturing sectors, as well as airports and newspaper production facilities. I do not intend to include retail estate agents and retail letting agents in this relief in 2021-22.