Vol. 282 No. 6
(Cavan): I move:
That a sum not exceeding £2,591,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1975, for rates and contributions in lieu of rates, etc., in respect of Government property, and for contributions towards rates on premises occupied by Representatives of External Governments.
As the valuation of this Government property is very old, would the Government consider a revaluation so that the rates being claimed would be more realistic than they are at present when they are being paid on very low valuations which have no relation to costs today? Would the Government consider revaluing all their property with a view to being fairer to the local authorities?
I think that would require legislation.
I do not think that is so.
Any individual may ask for a revaluation.
(Cavan): I suggest that Deputy Moore have a word with Deputy Cunningham and Deputy Brennan about the advisability of a general revaluation. Buncrana in County Donegal had experience of it some years ago and I do not think they would like another.
Deputy Moore's point is that there are Government buildings in areas where other buildings have been erected which are paying rates based on very high valuations.
(Cavan): Any private individual can list these buildings for rates if he wishes to.
If Government buildings are getting away with old valuations this means the rates in the area must be greater to cater for those low valuations.
(Cavan): I do not think one section of property could be revalued in isolation without revaluing the whole area. Deputy Cunningham's point can be met very easily by any local authority listing these buildings for revaluation if they think there is an injustice or inequity.
In regard to the Department of Lands under the heading, rates and contributions in lieu of rates, I notice that the increase, compared with the nine-months' period last year, is from £491,000 to £764,000 in the current year. Would the Minister like to comment on this huge increase in the light of the Coalition promise two-and-a-half years ago regarding the reduction of rates? Or is there any other explanation?
(Cavan): If the Deputy will repeat this question on the Vote for my own Department I shall deal with it, but it is obvious that we have here a twelve-months' period against the nine-months period the Deputy has mentioned and we must have acquired more property. That shows how hard we are working.
The Minister should be able to say what the rates are on the additional property acquired. I am sure he will agree that at present there is a marked reluctance to acquire property and that the acquisition of forestry has dropped very considerably. Therefore, I think these figures should be further explored.
(Cavan): If the Deputy will repeat the question when I move the Vote for my Department I shall give him further information.
