asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the amount of the present overdraft of the Leitrim County Council; also the amounts for the preceding four years; whether his Department has issued an order to the Leitrim County Council insisting on the collection of all arrears due, within a specified period; if he will state the period so specified, and if he has taken into consideration that undue pressure at this stage will result in extreme hardship on the greater number of the ratepayers affected, and, in some cases of small farmers, in complete ruin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leitrim Co. Council's Finances.
As overdrafts fluctuate daily with receipts and payments, I cannot answer the first part of the question. The present authorised overdraft limit in Leitrim is £25,000 and the authorised limits of overdrafts during the past four years have been as follows:—
|
From |
To |
||
|
£ |
£ |
||
|
1925-26 |
36,000 |
45,000 |
|
|
1926-27 |
35,000 |
||
|
1927-28 |
30,000 |
35,000 |
|
|
1928-29 |
25,000 |
30,000 |
The Deputy is aware that rates levied for the service of a particular financial year are collectable within that year. Leitrim has been the most backward county in the country in the collection of rates. Collectors have been slack and dilatory with the result that nearly 40 per cent. of last year's rates remains outstanding. The general matter has been under prolonged review and discussion with the County Council, and the County Council has now been directed to dismiss any collector who had not fully accounted for his warrant by the 30th June, 1929.
Full consideration has been given to the matter raised in the last part of the Deputy's question. Rates represent but a relatively small proportion of a farmer's necessary outgoings. There is no evidence to show that extreme hardship is imposed on Leitrim farmers by causing them to pay their rates. I am satisfied that where rates are not duly collected hardship is caused to many hardworking persons who, having paid their rates at the proper time, are, in addition, burdened with the cost of interest on avoidable overdrafts due to the defaulters. Furthermore, where through lack of energy on the part of rate collectors and their own improvidence, persons are allowed to fall into arrears with their rates they find it difficult later to meet payments that must inevitably be made. When a local authority has struck the rate which it considers necessary for the carrying on of its administration it is, in my opinion, not only a matter of public importance, but also a matter of personal importance to all ratepayers that the machinery established for the collection of that rate should operate punctually and effectively.
Arising out of that reply, I should like to know if in fixing the period, the 30th June, the Minister consulted the county council as to the advisability of issuing an order for the collection of all arrears within that period?
I do not understand what the Deputy means by consulting the county council. The matter has been the subject of prolonged discussion between my Department and the county council, and already, I think, either two or three rate collectors have been dismissed. If I could get the county council to view the matter from my point of view or from the point of view of my Department, a certain number of people at present rate collectors would be dismissed now. The matter has been discussed and, while I am not in a position to say that the county council has agreed to dispense with all rate collectors who do not close their warrants by 30th June next, I have discussed the matter with the chairman of the county council, and I am satisfied that the interests of the ratepayers in Leitrim will not be served except the rate collectors who do not close their warrants by 30th June are dismissed, and it is my intention to see, as far as I can, that rate collectors who do not close their warrants by that date will be dismissed.
I should like to know if the Minister in consultation with the chairman of the county council has had the assurance of the chairman of the county council that the action proposed by the Minister would not result in hardship to the rate collectors concerned.
Such opinion as the chairman of the county council has in this matter no doubt he will express himself in the proper place, but I want the Deputy to understand that I did personally discuss the matter with the chairman, and my decision has been taken in the light of everything the chairman has had to say, and in the light of knowledge of the discussions at the county council. The action has been very fully considered and has been under review for a very long time.
In view of the very unsatisfactory answer of the Minister, and inasmuch as he has taken this decision upon himself without, in my opinion, proper consultation with the local authorities, I should like an opportunity to raise this matter on the adjournment.