asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why premises registered by Bord Fáilte as farmhouse accommodation have the business rate of telephone rental applied to them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Rental.
50.
The question whether business or residence rate should be applied to telephones in premises registered by Bord Fáilte as farmhouse accommodation is being examined. I shall communicate with the Deputy when a decision has been reached.
In the case of those farmhouses and guesthouses which are now charged at the business rate, does the Minister foresee that if this policy is changed repayments will be made to those people?
This matter is being very actively investigated and we propose to adopt a policy that where farmhouse accommodation is of a very substantial kind, where there are a large number of bedrooms and the business is conducted practically all during the year they will be included under the business arrangement. For small farms which take in guests for a short period we will undoubtedly arrange for the residence rate to apply. I think we can manage to undertake to meet what the Deputy suggested. This is being examined.