Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Feb 1969

Vol. 238 No. 3

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Rating System.

28.

Mr. S. Dunne

asked the Minister for Local Government if, pending the reform and possible abolition of the present rating system, he will introduce legislation, if such is necessary, to provide relief for persons who are left alone in possession of a house purchased through the saving of a spouse; and if he will consider a plan to permit of rate payments, or a proportion thereof, being funded as they fall due for eventual recovery from the estate of the spouse when the house or property comes to be disposed of after his or her death.

29.

Mr. S. Dunne

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the grave hardship caused to persons of small means by the high level of rates; and if he will explain the powers of local authorities in so far as the writing off of rate debts is concerned in relation to persons whom the authority is satisfied are not in a financial position to discharge this responsibility.

Mr. Boland

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.

A local authority may, following the close of each financial year, write off an amount due by any person in respect of rates where the local authority determine that such amount is irrecoverable for any reason including the inability of the ratepayer to pay. As has already been indicated arrangements for dealing with the rates liability of necessitous persons generally are being reviewed in the light of the recommendations made on this subject in the Third Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Local Finance and Taxation.