asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, owing to the progressive difficulty of collecting rates, he will permit the local bodies to issue instructions to their rate collectors to accept the rates in monthly or quarterly instalments, instead of two moieties as heretofore, and thus make it easier for the ratepayers to meet their liabilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Collection of Rates.
I would have no power to issue instructions to the effect indicated. The matter has been frequently under consideration, and the view generally held by those experienced in local administration is that it would be unwise for many reasons to give power to rate collectors to accept rates in less than half-yearly amounts.
I am sure the Minister is aware that rates for the past year have not been paid in full, and seeing that the rates in general are about 25 per cent. over the rates of last year, and that the ability of the people to pay is considerably less this year, and also having regard, generally, to the unprecedented condition of things will the Minister consider the advisability of helping the people in their effort to meet the heavy burdens of the rates this year?