andMr. P. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Local Government what proposals were submitted by the Donegal County Council for his approval in connection with the appointment of a rate collector in Districts Nos. 10 and 12 (Glenties area); and if he will indicate (i) the cost of payment to a rate collector on a poundage basis as approved by him, (ii) the cost of payment to a rate collector in accordance with the scheme submitted by the County Manager to the Council for approval, (iii) the policy of his Department in regard to appointment of rate collectors whether on a poundage basis or on a salary basis, and (iv) whose function it is to alter the boundaries of a rate collection district and the statutory authority for altering the boundaries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Donegal Rate Collectors.
The proposal submitted by the Donegal County Council in relation to the office of rate collector for Districts Nos. 10 and 12 was for my approval to the advertising of the vacant office with remuneration on the same basis as had applied to the previous holder of the office. It was stated that the total remuneration of the rate collector, if he qualified for full bonus would be £590. It is understood that this figure is based on last year's rate warrants. As this proposal involved no change in the existing arrangements my approval was not required and in the circumstances the local authority would have been free to proceed with the filling of the vacancy without referring the matter to me. Reference was made in the local authority's letter to the fact that the manager had suggested alternative arrangements for the collection of rates in Districts Nos. 10 and 12 but details of what the actual cost of such alternative arrangements would be for rate collection in Districts Nos. 10 and 12 were not given. It is a matter for the local authority to decide in the first instance how a rate collector is to be remunerated and where it is proposed to change the basis of remuneration such proposals are subject to my sanction and are considered on their merits in each case. There is no specific statutory provision governing the alteration of the boundaries of a rate collection district. Such alterations are often made in conjunction with proposals for the creation of an additional office of rate collector or the abolition of an existing office in which cases the functions of the manager, the elected council and the Minister are involved.