asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) in respect of each of the past ten years the total amount of money collected in rates, (b) the estimate for 1971-72, (c) the percentage increase each year, (d) the reasons for the increase in 1971-72, and (e) what action the Government intends to take to alleviate the hardship on ratepayers, especially small businessmen, farmers and those on fixed incomes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates Yield.
90.
With regard to the final part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 36, 37 and 38 of the 24th November, 1970, and Question No. 51 of the 18th February last. The information requested in relation to 1971-72 is not yet available in my Department. The balance of the information sought is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
RATES collected and Percentage Increase over the Rate collected in previous year.
|
Year |
Rates Collected† |
Percentage increase over previous year |
|
£millions |
||
|
1961-62 |
23.203 |
5.2 |
|
1962-63 |
22.776 |
– 1.8 (decrease) |
|
1963-64 |
24.466 |
7.4 |
|
1964-65 |
26.061 |
6.5 |
|
1965-66 |
29.761 |
14.2 |
|
1966-67 |
31.533 |
6.0 |
|
1967-68 |
34.702 |
10.1 |
|
1968-69 |
38.294 |
10.4 |
|
1969-70* |
44.05 |
15.0 |
|
1970-71* |
49.47 |
12.3 |
* Estimates.
†Includes increases in rents of small dwellings owned by rating authorities.