asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that some smaller urban authorities are either unable or unwilling to operate the scheme for waiving rates in respect of persons, particularly pensioners, who are unable to pay the rates without undue hardship; if he will give a list of all such authorities; and what steps he intends taking, possibly by transferred responsibility in such cases to the county councils, so that all eligible persons will be able to avail themselves of the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates Waiver Scheme.
40.
One urban authority, the Bundoran Urban District Council, has notified my Department that it has decided not to adopt a rates waiver scheme this year on the ground that a scheme is unnecessary in Bundoran. The council is quite free to take such a decision and no question of any action on my part arises.
Am I to take it that Bundoran is the only local authority in Ireland which have opted out of this scheme? My information is that there are other local authorities which are unable or unwilling to embark on this scheme. What inquiries has the Minister made to satisfy himself that all local authorities who should be operating this rates waiver scheme are, in fact, doing so? I am aware of other local authorities to which the Minister has not adverted in his reply.
I am not at present aware of any authority other than Bundoran who are not adopting this rates waiver scheme. If the Deputy feels there is some truth in what he says, I will have a look to see what has happened.
Would the Minister not agree that the inhibiting factor here is the inability to provide the necessary funds? In those circumstances, would the Minister not think it is desirable and necessary to come to the rescue of those poorer local authorities by way of a subvention to enable them to operate the rates waiver scheme?
It might be more a question of reluctance than inability.
(Cavan): Is the Minister satisfied that every county council—never mind every urban council—is operating the scheme?
I have no information on that. If the Deputy will put down a question, I shall inquire.
Will the Minister assure me that he has consulted every local authority in Ireland? Are they operating the waiver of rates scheme which was given effect to here recently and which in my view is rendered abortive——
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 41.
Only one urban district council has indicated it has decided not to adopt a scheme this year.
What kind of question did the Minister pose to the local authorities?
I have called the next question.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I wish to give notice of my intention to raise the matter at the first opportunity.
This afternoon?
The first opportunity— say, Wednesday of next week, on the Adjournment.
The Deputy will have to give notice on that particular day.
If the Deputy is leaving over the Adjournment question until next week I would ask him to put down a question and I will give him the whole information——
What further questioning can I do? I have asked specifically the number of——
The Deputy has asked a number of questions here.