asked the Minister for Local Government if the rates being struck for the city and county of Dublin are, relative to a full year, up or down on the previous year; and by how much in each area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Rates.
60.
The rate struck by Dublin County Council for the financial year April-December, 1974, is £5.49 in the £ as against a rate of £5.79 struck in the current year. I understand that the city manager has indicated that a rate of the order of £4.45 in the £ will be required in Dublin County Borough in 1974. The rate in the £ in the current year is £5.70.
A simple mathematical comparison between the rates for April-December, 1974, and an April-March period is not valid, because the pattern of local authority receipts and expenditure varies at different periods of the year.
The Minister has refused to answer the question. I should like to have it on the record that, in effect, the actual rate for a 12-month period has increased in both areas. I should like the Minister to be honest enough to put that on the record.
I would point out two things to the Deputy. First, they are not increased because local authorities, who have had much of the burden of housing and health rates taken from them, have found it possible to use the additional moneys in the rates for worthwhile matters. Those members of local authorities, as Deputy Meaney——
What about the amenity grants which the Minister has cut?
The Minister is not being honest——
We cannot have a debate on this.
Is it not true that the rates have increased?
I am calling Question No. 61.