Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 1933

Vol. 49 No. 18

Rates on Agricultural Land (Relief) Bill, 1933—Second Stage.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Dr. Ward)

I move that this Bill be read a Second Time. It is a purely formal measure. Its object is to enable the continuance during the present financial year of the additional relief, mainly for small farmers, authorised by the Rates on Agricultural Land (Relief) Act, 1932. Pending maturement of proposals for the revision of the grants in aid of rates on agricultural land generally, it was decided that this special relief to the small farmers should be continued on the same basis as last year. It is hoped in the near future to introduce legislation dealing with the general question, but it is impracticable for such legislation to operate in the present year. This Bill provides as in last year for the allocation of £250,000 towards the relief of rates on the first £10 of the valuation of holdings of land on practically identical lines to the distribution made last year. There is in fact only one difference, and that is in the method of distribution. Last year owing to the advanced state of rate applotment throughout the country it was found necessary to arrange for the distribution of the special grant by the issue of credit notes to the ratepayers concerned. This year the decision to continue the grant was taken in sufficient time to enable the apportionment in the ordinary way by abatement of the demands.

Representations were received from a number of counties that the credit note system, whereby credit could only be claimed within the financial year, had proved a considerable inducement towards expediting the rate collection. It was accordingly decided to provide that local authorities might at their discretion either give the abatement right away from the deductions shown on the demand notes, or else issue the demand notes in full and on credit notes, for the abatement which, as last year, would only be valid within the present financial year.

The usual provisions are also contained in the Bill to validate the necessary instructions given to local authorities for the distribution of the grant earlier in the year.

Mr. MacDermot

I would like the Minister to be good enough to say exactly what he was referring to when he said that there was to be subsequent legislation to deal with the general question. What exactly did he mean by subsequent legislation to deal with the question? What is the nature of that legislation?

Dr. Ward

It would be impossible to indicate the general nature of the legislation at this stage, but the question of giving relief on rates on agricultural land based on the amount of employment given on the holding is under consideration, and proposals for legislation dealing with that matter will be introduced in the near future.

Mr. MacDermot

Does "the near future" mean before Christmas?

Dr. Ward

I should think so.

Mr. Bennett

I should like to ask a little information from the Minister. One would like to know something with regard to the limitation that was put on the receipt of this grant by the farmers last year under the heading of rates paid before the 31st March. The Parliamentary Secretary gave us no figures as to the number of people who were debarred from receiving the benefits of this £250,000 through not having paid on the 31st March. Could he, in addition, give us some facts as to whether he has received any complaints that people who did in fact pay before the 31st March and who neglected to give in their voucher when paying their rates did later on fail to receive what little relief was coming to them? Some small farmers did not understand the matter and on presentation of these vouchers did not get the relief which was due to them. These are a few questions I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to answer. The Parliamentary Secretary is making some small departure in the present Bill—that in future it will not be compulsory to pay before the 31st March. Is that compulsory upon the local councils at present? I understood the Minister to say that under the old Bill it was compulsory on the councils to have the rates paid before the 31st March or they would not get any benefit of any portion of this grant. The House is entitled to further information as to whether the Minister is in a position to say whether people who have in fact paid before the 31st March on afterwards presenting their vouchers, found it difficult or impossible to get a refund of the amount of their vouchers.

Dr. Ward

As to the point raised by Deputy Bennett I am afraid I cannot supply him with figures as to the value of the credit notes forfeited by the failure to pay the rates within the financial year. I presume the information could be got if the Deputy would put down a question in relation to it if he is keen to gain information. I am not aware of any complaints as to any hardship resulting in the matter that the Deputy has mentioned.

Mr. Bennett

If I will give the Minister privately a few cases will he see that these people are paid?

Dr. Ward

I cannot undertake to see that they are paid but I will undertake to look into it.

Question—"That the Bill be read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.