The final rates increase for Fermanagh homeowners became known yesterday with a rise of almost 4 percent on the way. The figures became clear after details of the Northern Ireland budget was released.

Businesses within the county fared slightly better but they will still see an increase of around 2.5 percent for the forthcoming financial year.

Rates are calculated by combining the regional rate and the district rate. The district rate is set by each council area and an increase of 2.3 percent was set by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council last month. The regional rate is normally set by the department of communities.

In the absence of a functioning assembly that rate has been set by the Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, through the Northern Ireland Office and will see a 5 percent rise for homeowners and 2 percent rise for businesses.

When these two rate rises are combined the final rate rise for Fermanagh home owners this year will come in at 3.8 per cent.

This means that for a house with a rateable capital value of £100,000 the total rates bill for 2019/20 will be £814.20 which is an increase of almost £30 on the previous year.