asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the Galway County Council has refused to take advantage of the powers given them in Section 8 (1) of the Housing Act, 1925, to remit a fraction of rates in the case of certain newly-built houses in Upper Salthill, Galway; if he has received repeated appeals from the occupants of these houses requesting him to use the powers given him in the section to insist that such remission of rates be given; and what action, if any, he intends to take in this and similar cases in other counties in which this issue has been raised.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REMISSION OF RATES.
The Galway County Council so far has declined to grant the partial remission of rates in respect of houses erected under the Housing Acts. Complaints have been received from a number of persons aggrieved by the Council's attitude, and the Department has been in communication with the Council on the matter. Consequent on the visit on the 15th of last month of one of the Department's Inspectors, the matter was to have been considered again at a meeting of the Council to have been held on the 5th instant. The action taken at that meeting has not yet been reported to my Department. With some exceptions local authorities have availed of their powers under the Acts in regard to the partial remission of rates.
Some councils appear to believe that the remission of rates will reduce their revenue and affect adversely the general body of ratepayers. The contrary is the case, as the inducements for building provided by the remission of rates produces new tenements which become at first partly and ultimately wholly rateable. I have some confidence that this is becoming more clearly understood by councils and that they appreciate how substantially the remission of rates will lead to the replacement of insanitary hovels.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Will the Minister say whether, in the case of a few exceptions that have arisen, he proposes to use the powers given to him under the Act in the case of continued refusal?
I will bring all the pressure possible to bear on them.