asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer in the financial year 1973-74 if the amount of health service and housing subsidy charges which otherwise would have been borne by the local authorities were transferred to the Exchequer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health and Housing Charges
109.
To give effect to the announced intention to transfer health charges and housing subsidies from the rates to the Exchequer, the Government has decided that in 1973/74 local authorities need levy a rate for health services and housing subsidies equivalent to only 75 per cent of the rate levied in respect of them in 1972-73. In the current financial year, the net increase in Exchequer expenditure arising from the decision is estimated at £12.67 million.
Can I take it that if all the health service charges and all the housing subsidy charges had been removed in 1973/74 the amount would be four times the figure the Minister has given?
I think we should recall that in addition to that particular sum, which is an alleviation in relation to last year, the Exchequer has also absorbed in respect of the year 1973/74 the total increase of those items over last year. If the Exchequer was simply to have confined its relief to removal of all expenditure on these items on the local rates for last year, yes, it certainly would have been four times that amount but having got that sum you would have to add another £12 million.
Could the Minister state whether the bulk of that relief would go to the benefit of dwelling houses or other rateable hereditament?
I must sympathise with the Deputy when he is unable to recall what the Minister for Local Government has already said.
I recall very well what he said. I want to hear what the Minister for Finance has to say.
What the Minister for Local Government said is the absolute truth. The lion's share of the relief is in respect of dwelling houses and the percentage of business and industrial premises, in respect of which the Deputy has been endeavouring to make great play, is a very small fraction of the total.
Can the Minister give us the respective figures? There are two percentage figures involved, one for dwelling houses and one for others. Could he give us the figures?
I have not the figures here. If the Deputy cares or dares to ask the question I shall be very happy, indeed, to give him the answer.
I certainly will.