asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the grave anxiety amongst ratepayers caused by the steep increase in the rate demand notes this year amounting from 5/- to 6/- in the pound which in many instances they are unable to meet; and, if so, whether he contemplates taking any steps either by way of increased grants or stabilisation of the rates at 6/- in the pound, to meet this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase in Local Rates.
I would refer the Deputy to my speech on the Estimate for the Department of Local Government in which I dealt with the question of the increase in local rates. The total estimates adopted by county councils for the current year represent an average poundage of 23/3 as compared with 20/5 last year. In my speech I referred to the general increase in rates and pointed out that the figures given for poundages, percentages and actual expenditure represented gross amounts and did not reflect the actual burden on the rural ratepayers. The Deputy is no doubt aware that grants from central funds such as the agricultural grant and the road maintenance grant also increase with any rise in local expenditure and that the grant under the Health Services (Financial Provisions) Act largely indemnifies local authorities against increases in the cost of health services.
There still remains the fact that the rates are up by over 5/- in the £ this year—or around 5/-. Is the Minister not conscious of the fact that that, on top of the 4/- rise last year, is a very heavy burden on the ratepayers, and is he going to do anything about it?
It is only in eight counties that the increase in the rate was more than 3/-. These were:—
|
Balrothery |
6/4 |
|
|
Dublin |
Dublin |
5/4 |
|
Rathdown |
5/7 |
|
|
North |
5/- |
|
|
Cork |
South |
4/- |
|
West |
4/4 |
|
|
Carlow |
4/2 |
|
|
Laoighis |
4/1 |
|
|
Meath |
3/5 |
|
|
Clare |
3/4 |
|
|
Kildare |
3/4 |
|
|
Monaghan |
3/2 |
In all other counties they were not more than 3/-
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I intend raising this question on the adjournment.