asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a person in the constituency of East Galway (name and address supplied) demolished his old house and built a new house on the site of the old one, as he could not procure an alternative site; and that he is now being charged with the full rate on the former old house, and is getting a remission only on the excess of the new valuation above the valuation of the former building; whether, in view of the fact that there are other similar cases where this practice applies, he will state whether the local authority may levy rates in this manner; and, if so, whether he proposes to take legislative steps to remedy the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates on Galway Dwelling.
18.
I understand that the position as to the grant of the rate remission concerned is as stated by the Deputy. The local authority calculated the remission in accordance with the law as it stood prior to the enactment of the Housing (Loans and Grants) Act, 1962. Under the rate remission provision of that Act, remission is given on the total valuation of the new house.
Has the Minister any function in the rectifying of this injustice that has existed since 1962? I understand that it has been rectified since.
There is nothing I can do at present to remedy the situation as it obtained up to 1962.
On last Friday before I left the House, I addressed this question to the Minister for Finance as I understood the Valuation Office comes under his Department. I found it on the Order Paper today addressed to the Minister for Local Government and I was never notified as to why the change was made to a Minister who has no function in the matter. I should like to know now why it was changed from one Minister to another. It will be a fortnight before I can submit it again. Perhaps the Minister for Finance would deal with it now.
The Deputy can submit the question again.