Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
278. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the detail of the workings of the rates alleviation scheme; if County Roscommon will be included in this scheme in view of the high levels of rates in the county which are making it extremely difficult for rural businesses to survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4296/17]
View answer304. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has considered proposals to introduce a rate relief scheme for start-up companies that set up in town centres and other neglected areas specified by the local authority as a means of rejuvenating town centres. [4236/17]
View answer305. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has considered proposals to introduce an ability to pay clause for businesses that are struggling to pay commercial rates due to liquidity or solvency issues. [4237/17]
View answer306. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has considered proposals to create a national temporary rate relief for businesses that move into unoccupied premises for the purposes of helping to reduce the number of empty units across main streets in towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4238/17]
View answer307. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress his Department is making on establishing a commission to review the future of the commercial rates system. [4239/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 304 to 307, inclusive, together.
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 pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for the preparation of a consolidated Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. Among the measures being considered for the General Scheme of the Bill are provisions to allow a local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support, inter alia, urban regeneration and rural development.
The Government recently launched Realising Our Rural Potential: The Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan is aimed at delivering real change for people living and working in rural Ireland and includes a specific action to determine the feasibility of enabling local authorities to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support rural development policy objectives. I have asked my Department to develop proposals in this regard for inclusion in the General Scheme of the Rates Bill. I hope to bring proposals in this regard to Government in the coming weeks.
