asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been called to the provision, relating to the valuation of dwelling-houses, contained in the Local Government Bill presented to the British Parliament on the 27th October, 1947; whether he is aware that the valuation and rating procedure prescribed in this Bill are designed to prevent scarcity values from being reflected in rateable values, by relating them to 1938 costs when prices were comparatively stable; and whether he is prepared to introduce, at an early date, similar proposals for this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dwelling-house Valuations.
I have seen the legislative proposals mentioned by the Deputy which are, apparently, designed to prevent increases in values since 1938 being reflected in rateable valuations. The need for similar legislation here does not arise as our rateable valuations are already much lower than they would be if they were based on 1938 values.