asked the Minister for Local Government if he proposes to take any action to eleminate the inequalities of rates as a method of taxation as between one area and another, especially in view of the differential in the level of rates struck as between various rating authorities for the financial year 1970-71.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rating System.
10.
All State grants to local authorities, by reducing the amounts which would otherwise fall to be borne by ratepayers, help to reduce the effects of any inequalities in the rating system. While the present range of State grants meets a greater proportion of local expenditure in less well-off areas of the country, the grant structure is being examined in the course of the present investigations into the system of local finance and taxation.
There are wide difference between one county and another in the rates struck. Would the Minister not think that some section of our people have an unequal burden of taxation to bear in this respect?
That does not follow. The basis of valuation is just not the same all over the country, unfortunately.