More than £1bn in rates was collected last year. In a statement, a Department of Finance spokesperson said: "The money raised was invested in vital public services such as healthcare, education and roads as well as helping to fund essential Council services." The Executive has frozen the element of the rate bill it is responsible for to help both households and businesses with the post-pandemic recovery. Minister Murphy said: “The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy and on the cashflow of many businesses. “Last year, I reduced the non-domestic regional rate by 18 per cent to help all business ratepayers.