Vol. 558 No. 6
96 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance if there are delays in the Valuation Office whereby county councils, such as Fingal County Council, have been unable to proceed with the valuation rating of commercial premises in their council areas, thus causing substantial financial losses to such councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25304/02]
When the Valuation Act, 2001, came into effect on 2 May staff unions in the Valuation Office refused to implement certain provisions of the Act because they were unhappy with the staffing arrangements. Those arrangements included the establishment of a separate agency, the revaluation office, to carry out a systematic revaluation of all rateable property over a period of five to seven years. It was proposed that that agency be staffed by up to 30 newly contracted valuers, with the supervisory and administrative staff being seconded from the Valuation Office. Due to dissatisfaction with the proposed arrangements the unions commenced a form of industrial action that entailed not implementing new procedures set out in the Act in relation to communication and consultation with ratepayers.
The unions subsequently agreed to resume normal duties to allow negotiations to take place but the union representing professional valuer staff has since re-imposed industrial action. Consequently, the office is unable to deliver a full valuation service to ratepayers or local authorities. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the Valuation Office has succeeded in dealing with sufficient rates revision applications from local authorities, including Fingal County Council, to yield additional revenue next year.
Management in the Valuation Office are satisfied that the arrangements proposed are reasonable and are available for further discussions with the union concerned.
