asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the total cost to the Exchequer for the year 1973-74 of the rates remission relating to health charges and housing subsidies and (b) the amount by which the private household section of the community will benefit from this remission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates Remission Cost.
103.
The total cost to the Exchequer in 1973-74 arising from the recent announcement of the transfer of certain health charges and local authority housing subsidies to central taxation is approximately £17 million. Of this sum, an estimated £10.8 million relates to the reduction of 25 per cent in the rates in the £ required to be levied for these services in 1973-74 compared with the corresponding rates in 1972-73. The balance of £6.2 million refers to the increase in the cost of these services in 1973-74 compared with 1972-73, which would otherwise fall to be met from local rates. There is of course an offsetting factor to some extent in the agricultural grant which is related to the rates levied on agricultural land.
No precise figures are available as to the amount of rates paid in respect of private dwellings. Householders comprise the great majority of all rate-payers and it is understood that they account for over 50 per cent of the total amount of rates paid.
Would it be fair to ask the Minister if he has the figures in respect of Cork?
The reduction in Cork North is 70.43p, Cork South 68.74p and Cork West 62.85p.
In relation to the figure of over 50 per cent does the Minister include in that agricultural land or purely dwelling houses?
It is householders, so it is residential.
The figures seem to have changed within a matter of months.
A lot of things have changed in the last few months, as Deputies opposite have noticed.
It is funny how statistics could have changed.