Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a policy in place allowing local authorities to link the commercial rates they charge businesses to the property's energy rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58601/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020.
The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for valuation matters, including determination of relevant property under the Valuation Acts for the purposes of rates. The Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions under the Valuation Acts.
Action 46 of the All Government Climate Action Plan 2019 to Tackle Climate Breakdown examined the feasibility for commercial rates to be linked to BER. The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 includes a provision to enable local authorities to introduce rates alleviation measures to support local and national policy objectives. The specific nature of any such schemes at local level will be a matter for the local authority concerned and thus may include measures to support climate action.
Currently, only the sections of the Act relating to the amendment of the Rate Limitation Order have been commenced. It had been intended that the bulk of the provisions would be operational for the 2021 local authority budget cycle, in November 2020. However, preparations have been delayed due to the impact of the COVID crisis. Plans to commence the legislation and introduce the regulations are temporarily delayed, with the revised aim of achieving necessary amendments to the Act, commencing the Act and signature of prescribed regulations in 2022.
