asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that the large increase in the Dublin City and Dublin County rates is warranted and that these rate increases do not disproportionately militate against the less well-off sectors of society; if he is aware of an impending rent strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Rates.
45.
Rating authorities are obliged to levy a rate which will produce sufficient revenue to bridge the gap between projected expenditure and anticipated income from State grants and miscellaneous receipts. While rates must be assessed on the valuation, appearing in the annual lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation, rating authorities are empowered to adopt schemes for waiver of rates in the case of persons on whom payment would impose hardship.
The increase in the municipal rate would be higher if the full cost of housing maintenance, which has been rising sharply in recent years, were to be borne by the rates. To obviate this the local authority decided to meet a small part of the rising costs by increasing the rents of some pre-1950 houses by 4p per room per week. I am aware from Press reports that tenants are being encouraged from certain quarters to withhold rents. As the management and control of their dwellings is primarily the responsibility of the local authority, I do not propose to comment further on this matter.
On what basis is it decided that some people should obtain a waiver of rates?
Each local authority adopt a rates waiver scheme and decide the categories of persons eligible and to whom they will grant a remission of rates.
Could some uniform system be employed whereby people would know they might be entitled to a waiver of rates, or is it just left to the discretion of the individual officers concerned? Is it different in every local authority?
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that many local authorities have failed or neglected or refused to introduce this scheme simply and solely because if they introduced it the relief given to the people who are more than entitled to it would be borne by the other ratepayers? Will the Minister consider shifting this on to the Exchequer in general as a social welfare scheme, which it is?
The question relates to Dublin city and county.
In view of the impending strike is there any possibility of meeting the parties beforehand in order to try to avert the strike?
As I said in my reply, the Deputy will realise that the management of the housing estates is the responsibility of local authorities and any discussions tenants may wish to have should take place with the local authorities, not with the Minister.
May I ask the Minister whether the decision to increase the rents on the pre-1950 houses was made by the local authorities or the Minister?
This is solely a matter for the local authorities.
Was the sanction of the Minister necessary?
The Deputy may not ask this supplementary. I have permitted him to ask several and I am now calling No. 46.
This arises out of the Minister's reply.
We might get through more quickly if he were allowed to ask it.
I will take the Deputy's advice.
Was the Minister's sanction necessary?
Sin ceist eile.
It is a separate question.
I will put down another next week.