asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the present method of notifying a rated occupier of an increase in the valuation of his premises is inadequate and that often the time within which a ratepayer may appeal against an increase in rates expires before the increase has been brought to his notice; and, if so, whether he will introduce proposals for legislation, requiring that notice in writing be given by the local authority to the rated occupier within one week of any alteration in the valuation of his premises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Notice of Valuation Increases.
The method of notifying an increase in the valuation of a property is governed by statute and has remained substantially unchanged for nearly a century. I am prepared to believe that this method may be inconvenient to individual ratepayers. Some local authorities, however, notify revisions of valuation directly to their ratepayers, though not required by law to do so, and it is open to other rating authorities to adopt the same arrangement. I am not prepared to introduce proposals for legislation as suggested by the Deputy.
Will the Minister not at least consider that a recommendation should be issued to each local authority to adopt the method of notifying ratepayers directly?
That is for the local authority to determine. I will not make it compulsory by law.
Does the Minister not appreciate that a person who might not have anything to do with a premises might inadvertently be returned as the rated occupier and if he did not appeal within the statutory period he might find himself with no answer at law?
As I say, the system has gone on for nearly a century and people must have got used to it.
Does the Minister think that a mere notice in a newspaper that the rate-books of a certain local authority are now open to inspection is sufficient notice to a ratepayer who may be subject to an increased charge?
The local authority can change that. I do not think it would be right to impose on the local authority the duty of notifying people, but the local authority may do it, and some local authorities do.