asked the Minister for Local Government why a widow (name supplied) in County Wicklow will not be granted a waiver of rates.
90.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wicklow Rates Waiver Scheme.
89.
asked the Minister for Local Government why a recipient of a non-contributory old age pension in County Wicklow (name supplied) has been refused a waiver of rates; and if he will alter this decision.
91.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will instruct Bray Urban District Council to grant a partial waiver of rates, the second moiety, to an old age pensioner in receipt of £7.20 per week (details supplied).
With your permission, a Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 90 and 91 together.
Might I request that the Minister take these questions separately!
It is usual to accept the Minister's indication in this matter.
The Deputy will understand when he hears the reply, which is as follows:
The administration of a rates waiver scheme is entirely a matter for the local authority. I have no power to intervene in individual applications.
Did the Minister say at one stage that special consideration would be given to widows and so on——
Should be.
Would the Minister think then that a widow earning £6.15p a week should have to pay £70 rates?
That is a matter for the local council, because if she had to pay £70 rates she obviously would have a fairly high valuation. I do not want to enter into this, because I would not be able to——
If I submit a document to the Minister stating that Social Welfare decided to add £2.15 a week from 30th November, 1973, to this person's income to try to give her a decent standard of living, might he instruct Bray to waive the rates?
I cannot instruct them, but if Deputy Murphy will give me the document to which he refers, I should do what he himself can do, ask them why they have not done it.
In view of what the Minister said recently as reported in the national press, will he consider making the waiver of such rates for widows and other pensioners a national charge?
No. That is a different matter altogether and it is not down for discussion.
It is the same thing. It is difficult to operate this when the other ratepayers have to pay for it.
Yes, if they are too damn mean to pay it?
Why do you not carry it?
Order, please.
I would not be carrying it. It is the taxpayers of the country who would be carrying it.
It is the——
Would Deputy Murphy allow questions to continue?