asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of cases where rate collectors have insisted on collecting rates from persons who were applicants for relief from rates under the rates waiver scheme before a decision was taken on their claims; and if such payments will be refunded.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates Waiver Scheme.
40.
The administration of a rates waiver scheme is a function of the local authority and therefore I would not have any information in individual cases. It is open to the person concerned to raise any matters on which he has a complaint with the county manager for the area.
Would the Minister not consider that there is a breach of the general terms of the scheme and, indeed, of the principle of the scheme for a person who has made application for a rates waiver to have his rates demanded by the rate collector and especially in respect of those cases in which the waiver was granted subsequently?
I have been considering that. Unfortunately, under the law the applicant is liable for his rates until such time as the waiver is granted to him. The rate collector by law is bound to attempt to collect. I agree with Deputy Brennan that the sensible thing where there is a strong possibility of a waiver being granted would be that collection be deferred. I have taken up this matter, and the extension of the waiver to necessitous people who are not included, with the local authorities on a number of occasions. Some local authorities have been very reasonable about this and some have not. Deputy Brennan should take this up with the local authorities and if he does not get any satisfaction perhaps he would give me particulars, although I do not know what I can do.
Would the Minister agree that where a decision has not been made until the last minute the rate collector could have brought that person to court in the meantime?
That is so. I have asked local authorities to make an early decision on this. The fault lies with the local authority officials who do not make their decision in time. There is no reason why they should wait until the end of the year to make their decision. I am asking them to make an early decision so that this cannot occur.
Would it not be a simple matter for the county secretary to issue each rate collector with the number of applicants under the waiver scheme in his area so that he would hold off until a decision is made?
No. It would be far more desirable if the county secretary got the county manager to make an early decision. It is only a day or two's work to decide who will be entitled to a waiver of rates early in the year and this will save everybody a lot of trouble.
In view of the satisfactory position in the implementation of this scheme, would the Minister consider making this a national charge?
That is a separate question.
No. I am looking to see if it can work at local authority level. In my view this could not be a national charge.
It is not fair that others will have to pay for this.
No it is not.
What actually happens? I am looking for information.
I always answer the Deputy's letters.