asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that, since Howth and Baldoyle have been incorporated into the Dublin County Borough area, the rates on land have gone up considerably; and that, as a result, farmers and landowners find the increased rates a considerable hardship in farming their holdings economically; and, if so, if he will consider amending the law to enable these holdings to be rated as a rural area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates in County Dublin.
Mr. H.E. Dockrell (for Mr. Cosgrave)
Since the Urban District of Howth was added to and became part of the County Borough of Dublin the occupiers of agricultural land in Howth have been rated on one-half of their land valuations in the same manner as the occupiers of land in every other part of the county borough. Inclusion in the county borough may have had the effect of increasing the rate on land in Howth but there would be no ground for granting relief in respect of land in Howth on a different basis to that which was granted in respect of other land that had been included at an earlier stage in the county borough. I would point out to the Deputy that, whilst the rate on agricultural land within the city was in 1944-45 equivalent to 10/5 in the £, in County Dublin in the same year the net rates on first £20 of land valuation were as follows: Balrothery, 7/6; Dublin North and South and Celbridge, 8/0½d.; Rathdown, 7/2. On the part of the valuation above £20 the rate might be as high as 10/6½d. (Balrothery), 11/6 (Dublin North and South and Celbridge), and 10/7½d. (Rathdown) if the occupier was not entitled to employment allowance.