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Local Authority Members

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (659)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

659. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to allowing councillors to be exempted from paying commercial rates in circumstances in which they wish to set up an office in their constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14566/21]

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Written answers

The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020 provide that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Acts.

A review was initiated in 2019 to examine the underlying policy rationale relating to the inclusion of categories of relevant property in Schedule 3 and Schedule 4 of the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020.

The purpose of the review was to examine the underlying policy rationale and to assess the likely effects, costs and benefits of any proposed changes in categorisation.

My Department has an overarching objective to ensure the sustainable funding of local authorities. As commercial rates provide an important source of funding for local services any recommendations arising from the review must support that sustainability requirement.

The work of the group is ongoing.

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