asked the Minister for Local Government if he has approved 100 per cent relief of rates proposed by Dublin Corporation to all those whose only source of income is old age non-contributory pension, blind pension, widow's pension and disabled allowance; and, if so, if he will ensure that this relief is extended in the case of all local authority areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates Relief.
15.
I have given the necessary approval to the Dublin Corporations waiver of rates scheme for 1976. The corporation's scheme enables consideration to be given to applications for rates relief in whole or in part from persons who are the recipients of non-contributory old-age, non-contributory widow's and blind pensions and from other persons not within the aforementioned categories who may claim that special hardship applies in their cases. With regard to the final part of the Deputy's question, I would point out that under the Local Government (Rates) Act, 1970, it is entirely a matter for each local authority to decide whether to adopt a scheme for the waiver of rates and what categories of persons to cater for in any such scheme.
Regulations made under that Act require only that any schemes adopted by local authorities or the amendment of any such scheme should be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Local Government. To date 37 local authorities other than Dublin Corporation have submitted schemes in respect of the 1976 financial year and have obtained my approval thereto. Most of these schemes are similar to that adopted by Dublin Corporation.