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Local Authority Charges Application

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (666)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

666. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, under present legislation, local authorities are empowered to negotiate rates arrears in businesses and companies which are being wound up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/13]

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Written answers

Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures.

Commercial rates income makes a significant contribution to the current funding requirements of local authorities. However, local authorities recognise that these are difficult economic times for many businesses, and work closely with ratepayers experiencing difficulty in the payment of commercial rates. In this regard, local authorities are facilitating the payment of commercial rates by instalments and work with businesses to put in place flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay. Legal processes are initiated by local authorities only when it becomes clear that other methods of debt collection are not successful.

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