asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider introducing proposals to allow for the derating of community halls.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Community Halls.
23.
Where community halls are shown in the valuation lists by the Commissioner of Valuations as being occupied for charitable purposes, they are exempt from rates. As to other cases, while the subject can be considered as part of a general review of the rates system, there are provisions in the existing law which enable local authorities to assist in the provision and maintenance of community halls. For example, local authorities have powers of a general nature under the Local Government Acts, 1941 and 1955, and under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, whereby they can assist in the provision and maintenance of community halls. There are other relevant provisions in the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. It is open to local authorities to use the existing powers available to them in such a way as to ease the burden of rates in whole or in part in appropriate cases.
As these halls cannot be classified as commercial since they are used only for cultural, educational and charitable purposes, would the Minister not consider derating them especially since many of them carry very high expenses in respect of insurance, public liability and maintenance?
If the Deputy wishes to make representations in this regard, he should refer them to the Department of Finance because the Commissioner of Valuations is the person who deals with these matters. Once he has put a rateable valuation on them the local authority are obliged to levy and collect the rates. I have no function in the matter.
In those circumstances, would the Minister consider adding his voice to my representations?
I would on condition that the representations were in regard to something I believed in.
We shall deal with the matter for the Deputy after the next election.
After the next election Deputy Faulkner will find himself in the same position in which he found himself after the last election. Up to three days before the last election he did not know that there was to be talk of any derating. There was nothing to that effect in Fianna Fáil's election manifesto.
Is the Minister aware that in many instances county councils are not able to pay the rates on these small halls and, consequently, must allow the situation to fall into arrears? Certainly, this is the position in my county. These halls are essential in that they are community centres in the parishes in which they are located.
I agree that such halls are essential for use as community centres. If they are used for charitable purposes, they should not be subject to rates. Also, if the local authority concerned consider these halls to be useful they are free to subsidise the rates. This was the position before I took over and I have not changed it. There is no reason why the matter should not be dealt with on that basis but there is no way in which I can deal with the problem.
Are we to understand, then, that the Minister cannot have rates abolished on these social centres?
Any such change would involve a complete review of the situation.
Nonsense.
The Deputy's party were in power for long enough but made no attempt to change the position.
That is not the question.
The Minister refers to our election manifesto but has he any comment to make on the Coalition's 14-point plan in which there was a promise to reduce rates?
We have reduced the rates by £5 in the £.
(Interruptions.)
Order. We must move on to the next question.
Perhaps I might be allowed one final supplementary. Is the Minister aware that there is debt in respect of all these halls? Has he no authority to derate these premises? What is his definition of "charity" as it applies to these places?
The Deputy is aware that a case could be made in respect of the derating of practically everything that is rated. But he is making a mistake if he thinks that the derating of community halls is a top priority. There are matters which have a much higher priority than those establishments. There are some halls which could be proved to be used for charitable purposes and, consequently, could be derated. However, this is a matter which must start at local level and be dealt with there but if for any reason the problem cannot be solved at that level it should be taken up with the Department of Finance.