Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With the reductions planned for local authorities from the next elections, the major consideration is the lack of funding for many local authority projects. Having served on local authorities over the years, I know that lack of adequate funding was always the main complaint.

To follow on from Deputy Coffey's point, only this morning I had a meeting with Leitrim County Council in regard to rates issues. Most businesses are struggling at present and the biggest initial investment each year is the cost of the rates. My meeting with officials of Leitrim County Council this morning concerned what could be done on behalf of one business, and I want to know whether there is any form of appeals process. This business person has appealed on two or three occasions, and each time the rateable value of the business has gone up. The business is in a small village with a population of a couple of hundred. This man is trying to survive and rear a young family, but no consideration whatsoever is given by the people carrying out the valuations, who are not engaging in any way. Are these people untouchable or can they be touched? I raised this issue last week with the Minister in regard to new legislation. These people should be made accountable. An inspector recently gave the impression that the Valuation Office has great sympathy for business, but when the valuation came back up from the country, the official in charge decided it would be at the same level as previously.

Members will know that small businesses, which are the lifeblood of this country, are closing daily because people cannot pay the rates. Unless something is done very quickly, many of these companies will not survive, many of the people involved will be unemployed and businesses will close, to the detriment of the communities in these areas.