asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the hardship caused by reason of excessive increases in valuation being put upon persons who availed of repair and reconstruction grants to improve their dwellings or premises, and also upon those who improved their property without the benefit of such grants; and if, in view of the fact that these excessive increases must operate to discourage people from improving their premises, he will ensure that these increases are not imposed in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increases in Valuation.
4.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.
Is the Minister not aware that some thousands of people who availed of repair and reconstruction grants had, after the expiration of the seven year waiting period, their properties revalued and the valuation increased out of all proportion? Is he not aware that many business people who improved their premises had their valuation increased out of all proportion also and in strict justice, does he not feel that some assurance should be given that such increases will not continue and also will he consider bringing in some relief?
The Deputy in his question used the phrase "excessive increases" and in his supplementary questions, he used the phrase "out of all proportion". He must know that valuation is related by and large, and indeed in the main, to letting value. Every effort is made by the Valuation Commissioner to assess the valuation of premises on their letting values. There is a well-known statutory procedure whereby any person who regards the valuation placed on his reconstructed premises as too high can appeal, first of all, to the Commissioner, and then to the Circuit Court. I have not heard of any cases in which such increases were so high as to be reduced to amounts that would suggest that the original figures were excessive.
Could the Minister enlighten the House in regard to the test applied by the valuers in determining valuation?
That is a separate matter.
It is the letting value mainly.
Would the Minister accept, as evidence that there is such a thing as excessive valuing, the fact that a £5 valuation was reduced to 15/-? I can give him that evidence, if he requires it.
I have represented people in these valuation appeals myself and some of these reductions are effected in different or peculiar circumstances and therefore I would not suggest that the higher figure should be regarded as excessive.
My friend must have got a better lawyer.
Or a better judge.