asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to continue in the future the practice of assessing a rateable valuation on new houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Valuations.
24.
The practice of valuing houses by the Valuation Office on an individual basis is at present under active review in the light of the Government's commitment to abolish domestic rates with effect from 1st January next. I am not in a position at this stage to give a definitive answer to the question but it would seem that satisfactory arrangements for periodic reviews of the total of house valuations in each rating authority area will be necessary.
I take it from the Minister's reply that no decision has been made in this regard. Has the Minister considered the problems that will arise after the 1st January in relation to any new houses from the point of view of the valuation differentials which are there for grant purposes and valuation differentials which are there in relation to Circuit Court and District Court jurisdictions and fee payable in the Land Registry? What will be the position in regard to this after 1st January next?
As I indicated, these questions are being considered and I cannot give a definitive answer at the moment. As I said, it would seem that satisfactory arrangements for periodical reviews of the total of house valuations in each rating authority area will be necessary. In other words, a system will be evolved which will enable any particular house to be classified as being of a certain valuation although the method of arriving at the valuation or dealing with it may be different from the present one.
May I take it that the categoric statement of the Minister's colleague, the Minister for Economic Planning and Development, yesterday that there would be a register of houses is at variance with the Minister's view on the situation?
That is a separate question.
I am not fully aware of what my colleague said yesterday but the Deputy may rest assured that it is not in contradiction of anything I have said.
If the Minister intends to solve the problem by having a register of houses is he considering having a registration fee?
That is a separate question.
It arises directly out of this problem. There is a good deal of apprehension throughout the country that there will be a registration fee.
That may be but the question is not relevant.
There need be no apprehension in that regard.
May I take it that that is an undertaking there will be no registration fee?
I said there need be no apprehension about this.
If there is to be no apprehension why can I not get an undertaking?
Question No. 25 in the name of Deputy Michael Keating. Again, I repeat I would like Deputies to co-operate so that we can make as much progress as possible.