asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the very depressed state of many towns in the West of Ireland, particularly in Mayo; and if he will take the necessary steps to have the properties within these areas revalued with a view to effecting a reduction in rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revaluation of Western Properties.
43.
I am aware of the special problems of the West of Ireland, including the towns.
It is not clear from his question whether the Deputy has in mind a reduction of rate poundages or a reduction of the overall burden of rates. The latter is necessarily related to the cost of the services to be financed. Anything in the nature of a general revaluation of properties, while it would iron out inequalities, would not affect the general rates burden.
Any steps which the Government may consider necessary in relation to improvement of the valuation and rating system will be taken when there has been time to go into the problem in all its aspects. Meanwhile, I have no function as regards the revision of valuations. Any ratepayer has, under the Valuation Acts, the right to submit to his rating authority—to the town clerk, if the ratepayer lives in an urban district, borough or county borough; to the county secretary, if he lives elsewhere—a list of any properties in his rating area the valuations of which in his opinion require revision. These lists are passed each year by the rating authorities to the Commissioner of Valuation so as to have the valuations of the listed properties revised.
May I enquire if the Minister is aware that the Fianna Fáil Party promised a reduction in rates to people in Mayo and in the West generally if they voted for his Party during the elections? Would the Minister comment on that?
I am not so aware. We promised to examine the whole rating system, which is an immensely complex matter. It involves a comparative valuation of land in different areas and it involves studying the effect of any change in the methods of valuation, as to whether it would really produce what everybody would like, a lightening of the burden without any other untoward effects. This is a very difficult problem, as the Deputy knows. The replacement of rates by general taxation is a matter that also requires consideration as to whether it is practicable, whether the ultimate effect would be to lighten the burden, and who should benefit by any such change made.
Would the Minister say whether the Government have begun the examination of this complex problem which they undertook to begin in the course of the last general election campaign?
The Minister for Local Government has already made a statement. There has been a committee sitting to examine all aspects of this problem. Part of a report on the valuation position was published recently and indicated the very great problem that was involved. Anybody who read that report would realise the necessity of very detailed examination of this whole problem. In the meantime the matter continues to be examined by a committee set up by the Minister for Local Government and comprising officials of the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries, Education, Finance, Health and Local Government.
Committees are very useful for putting problems into the limbo of forgotten things.
Is the Minister aware that soon there will be no rate-payers left in the West?