asked the Minister for Local Government if he has decided to allow remission of rates on community centres, sporting clubs, social centres and parish halls in view of the facilities provided to cater for the needs of local communities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates Remission.
33.
The system of rates is at present being reviewed and the liability of the occupiers of community centres, sporting clubs, social centres and parish halls to pay rates will fall to be considered in this context.
Could the Minister say when we might have news of the review and if it will apply to the current year?
As the Deputy is aware, I would not be able to give him any idea of the exact time when the review will be completed. I hope it will be done well because I believe in having things done expeditiously. I have grave doubts that it would apply to a preceding year. It will not be ready this year. Therefore, as the new rating year would be 1975, it could not possibly apply to 1974. This is my personal opinion.
I know the Minister has a keen interest in sport. Would he not agree that these community centres, sporting clubs, parish halls and social centres are going through a very difficult period? Will he expedite the result of this review and include the current year and the year in which the review is carried out when a decision is reached?
Deputy G. Fitzgerald is asking me to make a decision on the review. That I cannot do. All I can say is that I hope it will be done quickly. If these centres are being run for charitable organisations, as the Deputy knows they are already exempt from rates. If they are in serious trouble the local authority could help them in a number of ways. The best thing the Deputy can do is to leave it until the review is finished.
I agree with the aspects of it.
The Deputy may ask a brief supplementary.
The Minister is as keenly interested in this subject as I am and that is why I am pressing him for an answer. Would he agree that all community centres can be regarded in the charitable light as providing badly needed amenities for the local community? When does he expect, within a year even, that we might have an answer?
I do not want to give a date over which I would not be able to stand. I hope to have it next year but I would not like to give an approximate date because the Deputy would be very quick at coming in here and letting me know that I was behind the date already given. I am as anxious as the Deputy that this should be clarified.
Why should there be such a long delay in this type of review? The Minister said it could be next year——
The Chair has given the Deputy a lot of latitude. He does not seem to appreciate it. Question No. 34.
Why could this question not be decided over night?
I will go over history if the Deputy keeps asking supplementaries.
I am calling the next question.