asked the Minister for Local Government the number of persons in the Dublin County Council area and the Dún Laoghaire Borough area currently approved under the schemes for the waiver of rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waiver of Rates Schemes.
22.
I understand that Dublin County Council have waived all or part of the rates due in 277 cases; and that Dún Laoghaire Corporation have deferred final decisions on the granting of waivers until the investigation of all applications has been completed.
Would the Minister not agree that one has to be virtually living on the verge of poverty before he qualifies for a waiver by the Dublin County Council or Dún Laoghaire Borough Council or of Dublin City Council? Would he not also agree that this is a classic example of the failure of the Government to bring in an effective rates relief scheme for those with lower fixed incomes?
The Government made provision for local authorities to adopt these schemes with discretion.
Within limits set by the Minister.
I did not set the limits but I indicated the classes that should be covered.