asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the cost of the collection of £1.3 million rates by Galway County Council in 1983 was £298,000; and if he considers that such a high cost is a waste of public funds.
443.
Written Answers. - Rate Collections.
437.
asked the Minister for the Environment the action he is taking with regard to recommendations made by local authorities in connection with the position of rate collectors whose workload has been significantly reduced as a result of the abolition of domestic and agricultural rates; if he is aware of the financial liability of employment of rate collectors on local authorities; if he is aware of their refusal in some counties to collect charges for local services; the date on which submissions were made by the local authorities on the question of redundancy for rate collectors; the reason the Government have not as yet taken a decision on this matter; and when such a decision will be taken.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 443 together. I am aware that Galway County Council's estimates for 1983 included, under the heading "rate collection", estimated expenditure amounting to £295,700 and that on the basis of returns furnished by the county council the rates collected in 1983 amounted to £1.197 million. I understand that the estimate of £295,700 includes costs associated with the administration of the grants in lieu of rates amounting to some £10.181 million in 1983.
One local authority submitted, on 6 March 1984, proposals for rationalisation of their rate and revenue collection arrangements. This proposal is being considered in conjunction with examination of the question of rationalising rate and revenue collection arrangements generally, taking account, inter alia, of the reduced workloads of rate collectors in many areas, consequent on the abolition of rates on domestic dwellings and agricultural land, and of the resulting high cost of collection. It is hoped that this examination which is being carried out in the context of a claim by the staff side, under the conciliation and arbitration scheme, for the creation of a new national grade of revenue collector will be completed as soon as possible.
As a result of discussions held last September, the staff side agreed to co-operate in the collection of the new local authority charges for 1983, and it was agreed that the two sides should meet again nationally to discuss the question of rationalisation. It is understood, however, that in some areas rate collectors did not co-operate in the collection of these charges but that the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board took the matter up with the staff side who confirmed their continued commitment to co-operate in their collection.