asked the Minister for the Environment whether local government dwellings in which lodgings are provided and which are not statutorily registered for accommodation purposes are entitled to domestic status, particularly in regard to charges for water supplies.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Government Dwellings.
16.
The classification of dwellings for the purpose of water charges is by law primarily a matter for each sanitary authority. I understand that some authorities treat dwellings providing lodgings, whether registered or not, as combined business and domestic premises and apply special water charges to such premises.
In view of the fact that some counties have a different procedure to others, would the Minister accept that it would be proper to have an even procedure throughout the country and, more importantly, does he accept that this is a devious way of collecting money from such householders in lieu of rates which are supposed to have been abolished.
I do not accept the last part at all. There is statutory authority for local authorities to charge water rates, both rural and urban. The Deputy has a point about having a uniform system throughout the country.
Would the Minister accept that, when the Bill supposed to abolish rates on domestic dwellings was introduced in 1977, it was specifically stated in the explanatory memorandum that the use of a dwelling to provide lodgings would not disqualify the premises from domestic status? In the light of this, is it not unfair that in some parts of the country people who are providing lodgings are subject to these heavy charges?
The Deputy will be aware that the classification of dwellings is a matter for each sanitary authority. The abolition of domestic rates made no difference to water charges in urban areas as these were abolished years ago.
Would the Minister not agree that the whole question of water rates needs to be reviewed by his Department, particularly in view of the fact that although the Taoiseach stated in this House a couple of weeks ago that the reduction in the cost of water rates was 100 per cent, water rates are still being charged throughout rural Ireland? Is the Minister further aware that some local authorities are now charging more in water rates than they were charging originally in ordinary rates? Would the Minister not agree that something should be done to have the matter rectified before it becomes ridiculous altogether?
I received representations from the managers' association that the water rate should be extended into rural areas as well.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Did I hear the Minister correctly when I thought he said that the water rate had gone with ordinary rates because, if he said that, of course he is not correct?
No. I was referring to urban areas.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Am I correct in thinking that the Minister, in his Kilkenny speech to the county managers, invited local authorities and county managers to increase water rates and other similar charges to make up the revenue?
No, the Deputy is not correct with regard to water rates.
Did the Minister not say — in his reply to the second last supplementary — that county managers are anxious to increase and extend their water rates more than they are at present? Is that not proof of the fact that this is a back-door method of collecting rates from people in the country?
I do not accept that.
A final supplementary from Deputy Creed.
Is the Minister aware of the increase of 50 per cent in water charges in Cork County and does he consider that to be a fair increase in one year?
I am not aware of that fact.
May I inform the Minister?
No, the Deputy may not inform the Minister. Question No. 17.