asked the Minister for Local Government (a) the total number of people who have applied for relief of rates under the waiver of rates scheme; (b) the number who have applied to Dublin Corporation; (c) the number of people in Dublin who have qualified; (d) the number of those who are non-contributory State pensioners and (e) the number outside that category.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief of Rates.
21.
The information sought in the first part of the question is not available in my Department. I am informed that Dublin Corporation received a total of 3,555 applications for waiver of rates and that remissions have to date been granted to 350 applicants of whom 130 are in receipt of non-contributory pensions.
The Minister appreciates that not many people would come under the scheme since, in his direction to local authorities, it was recommended that non-contributory pensioners be eligible for the initial benefit period?
It was never pretended that this was to apply on a wide basis and only approximately a little more than a third of those who have been granted relief are in receipt of non-contributory pensions.
To illustrate the point, I know of a weekly who has five children and a weekly income of £12 10s 0d and whose appeal for a waiver of rates, which are £70 a year, has been turned down.
I do not know if that is the case.
That is the case and I can give the Minister exact information on the grounds on which the appeal was dismissed. Further, would the Minister not also agree that there is a general feeling among the public that legislation exists with regard to the waiver of rates but that, in fact, it has all the signs of being a confidence trick by the Custom House?
It has always been made quite clear that this would apply to comparatively few people in the initial stage at any rate.
The scheme is a fraud.