Vol. 302 No. 10
asked the Minister for the environment why a waiver of rates has been refused to an applicant (name supplied) in County Offaly who is aged approximately 85 years, lives alone and who is in poor health; the reasons for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for the Environment when a waiver of rates was last granted to a person (name supplied) in County Offaly; the years that the applicant has been refused a waiver of rates; and if the applicant's circumstances have changed over the years.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
A decision by a local authority on an application for a rates waiver is entirely a matter for the local authority, whose decision is final and conclusive and is not subject to review by me. It is understood from the local authority that a waiver has never been granted in the case mentioned by the Deputy but that judgment mortgages totalling £934.56 have been obtained on the person's property in respect of rate arrears. It is also understood that the local authority refused to grant a waiver in the current year in view of: (a) the amount of arrears which had already accrued and which was charged on the property in favour of Birr Urban District Council; (b) the fact that it is unlikely that the burden of the rates would pass to any members of the ratepayer's immediate family since as far as the Council is aware no other member of his family occupies the premises; (c) the extensive valuation of the property.
As I said in my question, this gentleman is aged 85 years. He is in receipt of a non-contributory old-age pension and is in receipt of a very small proportion of home assistance. Has the county manager, or whoever decided to seek a judgment mortgage against this man any idea when they might get this money from him?
It is not for me to tell the Deputy his business. Essentially this is a matter which should be taken up, as the Deputy knows, with the local authority on a man-to-man basis because it is an ad misericordiam case the Deputy has put. At this level I do not see what I can do if the Deputy cannot persuade the local officials to see the justice of the case which, on the Deputy's presentation, would appear to be just.
I have a file on it about that thick. I have made continuous representations and felt that the Minister for the Environment was the last person to whom I could appeal in this particular instance. Surely it is ludicrous for a person on a non-contributory old age pension to have such a judgment mortgage registered against him? Surely if the Minister has no responsibility in this and an urban councillor, county manager or anybody else has complete discretion then the waiver of rates scheme is ludicrous?
I shall certainly have inquiries made in the matter but, as I said, the local Deputy is often more effective in such cases than the Minister.
Question No. 25.
The only place that man will be able to pay it will be from up there.
We have heard all about it, Deputy. Question No. 25.
