andMr. J. O'Leary asked the Minister for Finance the total number of new houses valued by the Valuation Office in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Valuations.
29.
I am informed by the Commissioner of Valuation that separate figures for each of the several categories of rateable hereditaments, including new houses, which are dealt with each year are not recorded, as such statistics are not required for any official purpose by that office. The total number of cases listed for revision of valuation by the various local authorities in each of the years 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 was 66,492; 112,509 (this represents an 18-month period arising out of the change of the financial year); 72,040 and 77,837 respectively, making a grand total of 328,878 cases for the four-year period.
Would the Minister not agree that, because of the savage revaluations that have taken place in certain areas on business premises and private residences, this is an undue burden to be placing on the ratepayers in view of the fact that at the same time as the revaluation is taking place the rate in the £ has been increasing dramatically?
The Deputy should avoid using tendentious language like "savage". The Commissioners of Valuation are charged by statute with responsibility in the area of valuations. They go about their work, as they have always done, impartially and according to the law.
Arising from the Minister's advice not to use tendentious language, would he like to describe an increase from £5.73 in 1973 to £10.50 in 1976 as anything other than savage? That came on top of 11,000 revaluations in County Dublin this year. Would he describe it as beneficial, friendly or wholesome or would he describe such an increase as "savage"?
The question addressed to me deals with valuations. Valuations are determined in accordance with the value of property, as the Deputy must know.
Is the Minister seriously telling the House that the valuation office have not got a list of the number of new houses valued by them during each of the four years mentioned in the question?
I am so informed. The valuation office receive lists from the local authorities in accordance with law and they make their decisions accordingly. They have records of the number of valuations made by them but not of the number of premises to which they attach. For instance, in relation to new houses the submission made to local authorities can frequently be to put valuations on "X" number of houses of a certain type on "Y" plot of land. The determinations are made in that way, but there is no separate account kept in the valuation office of new as distinct from old dwellings.
Is the Minister certain that a separate list is not kept in the valuation office of new houses?
I am so informed by the valuation office and I have no reason to disbelieve them.
Unless the House agrees to deal with the two remaining questions to the Minister for Finance, the remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.
Would the House agree to take those questions?
Agreed to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 today.