asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make immediate arrangements whereby all local authorities will discontinue the practice of increasing rateable valuation, after any period of time, of houses which have been repaired with the assistance of a State or local authority grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rateable Valuations.
34.
Local authorities are obliged by law to send each year to the Commissioner of Valuation lists of properties the valuations of which require revision, including dwellings in their areas in respect of which reconstruction or improvement works have been carried out.
The Housing Acts provide that revisions of valuations in respect of works carried out in houses for which State grants are paid shall not, on any revision of valuation coming into force within seven years after the completion of the works, be increased on account of any increase in the value of such house arising from such works. I do not propose to introduce amending legislation to extend this concession.
Is the Minister saying that the initiative regarding the increase in valuation comes from the local authority?
The local authorities are obliged to send these lists to the Commissioner of Valuation.
What lists?
The lists of properties, the valuations of which require revision.
What is the test which says they require revision?
In this case, in respect of reconstruction or improvement works which have been carried out.
If somebody reconstructs or improves his house, is it the position that the local authority is required to send notice to that effect to the Department of Local Government?
The local authority send it to the Commissioner of Valuation.
Very well.