asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made with the investigation of the present system of rates with a view to providing a more equitable system of local finance and taxation.
34.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Finance and Taxation System.
33.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether, pending any change in the rates structure arising out of his present investigations into the matter, he will take steps, in view of the increased rates proposals for the coming year, to freeze rates at last year's level and to make the necessary supplement to local authorities from State funds.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
While considerable progress has been made in the inquiries into the present system of local finance and taxation, I would refer the Deputy to my statement, when introducing the estimate for my Department last June, that these investigations cannot be made the subject of hasty decisions and that it would be some considerable time before any changes could be brought into operation. No immediate change is contemplated. I might mention, however, that in recent years, State Grants have been meeting an ever increasing percentage of the total revenue expenditure of local authorities, the figure for the current financial year being almost 50 per cent.
Would the Minister define the phrase "some considerable time"?
I would have considerable difficulty in defining that.
I raised this question because of the big promise by the Taoiseach last year, and this question would have gone to the Taoiseach, were it not for the fact that the Minister for Local Government took over responsibility for it. Would the Minister now honour the promise given by the Taoiseach that this investigation would be carried out as speedily as possible?
That promise is being honoured. Investigations are being carried out as quickly as possible.