Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Apr 1967

Vol. 227 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase in Valuations.

115.

Mr. O'Hara

asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the growing unrest particularly in the West of Ireland at the increase in valuations of property; and if he will look into this matter with a view to granting relief in rates to the residents of these areas.

116.

Mr. Mullen

andMr. Cluskey asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the recent revaluation of premises in Dublin will impose considerable hardship on the occupiers of private dwellings who are in receipt of small pensions, low fixed incomes, low wages or small salaries; and if he will take steps to rectify this most undesirable situation.

Mr. Haughey

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.

The position is that the Commissioner of Valuation does not initiate revision of valuations. The initiative lies with the local authorities. The Commissioner of Valuation must comply with the prescribed statutory procedure in any case referred to him by the local authorities. I cannot interfere with the statutory procedure relating to the revision of valuations.

Any person aggrieved by reason of an increase in valuation has the right of appeal, subject to compliance with the procedures and dates laid down in the Valuation Acts.

Mr. Mullen

Does the Minister not agree that the situation is archaic in the extreme? I understand the law has been there for over 100 years.

Mr. Haughey

There are two aspects to that. One is that the law in itself is in need of clarification and consolidation. I would hope to initiate some action on that in the near future. The other is whether or not this House would be ready to face up to a complete revaluation of the whole country.

117.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Finance why the rateable valuation of many houses in the Rathmines and Rathgar areas of Dublin city have recently been substantially increased; if he is aware that very serious hardship is being caused to many people by such increases; the reason why the Commissioner of Valuation has revalued so many properties in the areas; his authority for so doing; and if he will introduce legislation to relieve ratepayers in necessitous circumstances who have had increases imposed on them.

Mr. Haughey

Any increase in the valuation of houses in the districts referred to from 1st March, 1967 was effected in each case under the statutory procedure which obliges the Commissioner of Valuation to undertake the revision of valuation of any premises if requested by the local authority to do so. An increase in valuation would be called for in any case where the existing valuation of the premises is found to be substantially below the level which would reflect the present net annual letting value. A frequent reason for increases is that houses formerly valued as family dwellings were found to have been subdivided into flats, apartments, or bedsittingrooms.

As regards the reference to hardship in the Deputy's question, I am not aware that the position is as represented. Moreover, in any case to which a reconstruction grant relates the revision of valuation consequent on such reconstruction would not come into force for seven years.

With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question, I would refer him to the reply given by me to Questions Nos. 113 and 114.

118.

Mr. Ryan

andMr. L. Belton asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of each ward in the County Borough of Dublin the amount by which the rateable valuation of properties was increased between the financial years 1966-67 and 1967-68.

Mr. Haughey

The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

COUNTY BOROUGH OF DUBLIN.

Wards	Total Rateable Valuation 1966-67	Total Rateable Valuation 1967-68	Amount of Increase
	£	s.	£	s.	£	s.
Arran Quay	85,030	18	86,313	18	1,283	0
Ballybough	40,613	7	40,786	1	172	14
Beann Eadair	47,051	4	50,709	4	3,658	0
Cabragh East	68,302	8	70,831	18	2,529	10
Cabragh West	55,752	18	57,614	8	1,861	10
Clontarf East	114,068	1	116,146	16	2,078	15
Clontarf West	80,638	13	81,851	3	1,212	10
Crumlin	82,590	8	83,429	18	839	10
Drumcondra North	53,025	12	53,442	12	417	0
Drumcondra South	69,381	2	70,271	2	890	0
Glasnevin	52,008	5	52,486	15	478	10
Inns Quay	56,715	13	57,445	18	730	5
Kilmainham	57,171	11	57,701	11	530	0
Kimmage	61,717	1	61,984	11	267	10
Mansion House	281,899	19	284,585	19	2,686	0
Merchants Quay	101,012	6	101,596	5	583	19
Mountjoy	48,306	2	49,061	2	755	0
North City	256,433	18	261,814	18	5,381	0
North Dock	115,517	19	130,484	19	14,967	0
Pembroke East	140,342	19	151,257	19	10,915	0
Pembroke West	143,522	17	147,218	2	3,695	5
Phoenix Park	11,795	6	12,034	1	238	15
Raheny	34,558	13	34,629	3	70	10
Rathfarnham	95,490	8	96,800	15	1,310	7
Rathmines East	112,445	1	117,974	6	5,529	5
Rathmines West	128,269	17	136,826	14	8,556	17
Rotunda	55,843	18	57,143	18	1,300	0
Royal Exchange	268,409	17	271,519	7	3,109	10
Saint Kevins	66,420	10	118,317	10	51,897	0
South Dock	87,156	15	89,813	13	2,656	18
Terenure	62,349	5	62,885	5	536	0
Ushers	132,887	10	134,207	0	1,319	10
Wood Quay	32,102	6	32,175	10	73	4
Artane	75,970	8	79,244	18	3,274	10
Baldoyle	6,887	11	8,015	6	1,127	15
Ballyfermot	90,739	13	97,256	18	6,517	5
Coolock	51,237	7	52,044	7	807	0
Crumlin West	6,758	0	6,934	0	176	0
Finglas East	98,365	0	102,350	13	3,985	13
Finglas West	43,074	8	46,519	18	3,445	10
Rathfarnham South	12,032	5	12,144	10	112	5
Santry	27,665	2	27,759	2	94	0
TOTAL OF WARDS (42)	3,511,562	1	3,663,631	13	152,069	12