Vol. 435 No. 9
170 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment if the freezing of rates on Government property since 1988 has been a serious blow to the finances of Dublin City Council, producing a shortfall of £4 million in the Council's income each year since then; and if he will have this decision reversed.
State-occupied property is statutorily exempt from local rates but local authorities in the past received a separate State grant, known as the bounty in lieu, in respect of such property. In 1989, the bounty in lieu was merged with the rate support grant and all local authorities, including Dublin Corporation, had their rate support grant allocations increased to reflect this change. No distinction is drawn between the former separate elements in the determination of increases in the amounts of rate support grant allocations.
