asked the Minister for Local Government if a land-owner with a £33 valuation will get complete derating on the first £20; and what reduction will be given on the next £13.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Derating of Land.
8.
I intend to introduce legislation which will provide, in relation to farmers with a land valuation of £33, for the relief, in full, of the general rate on the first £20 of such valuation. The employment allowance will be available towards the relief of the entire amount of rates which would otherwise be payable on the remaining £13 valuation.
Is that the only concession the Minister is giving in regard to the extra £13?
Yes.
Then the statement that there was to be a graded reduction on the £33 valuation is not quite correct.
It is correct.
Would the Minister say if only the first £20 is being allowed and there is nothing except the employment allowance on the other £13? If that is so, how can he claim there is any improvement in regard to the extra £13, because the Minister must know the people with £33 valuation do not employ hired labour?
Some of them do. The first £20 will now be completely free of rates. Prior to this, the first £20 was relieved to the extent of 80 per cent and the remainder to the extent of 30 per cent. Now the first £20 will be totally relieved, so that a person with £21 valuation will now pay on £1 of that valuation, whereas prior to this he paid on £4.7. It is graded down. A person on £33 valuation will now pay on £13, whereas prior to this he paid on £13.1.
I am sure the Minister for Finance would agree it does not read exactly as it did when he was making his Budget Statement.