 
                            20 out of the counties surveyed recorded rises in their rates.
The number of empty shops and offices across the country is the highest its been in a decade.
GeoDirectory's latest report shows the amount of vacant commercial properties in Laois and Offaly are both higher than the national average of 14.1%, at 14.5% and 16% respectively.
Westmeath is among the lowest counties in the country on that list, at 12.7%.
20 out of the counties surveyed recorded rises in their rates with almost 1 in 5 commercial properties in Sligo lying empty.
CEO of Geodirectory Dara Keogh says this could be a case of businesses moving their commercial activities online:
 
                             
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