Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his answer. I forgot to answer his earlier question. I am wearing a pin to steer clear of the Stickies, with whom we had a bad relationship for a long time.

My question to the Minister was related to local authority houses which had been over-valued. Can this be rectified? People are being told to contact the local authorities, but local authority officials are washing their hands of the matter and saying it is one for Revenue. People are not getting satisfaction in using the helpline. I am trying to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister. The properties of the people concerned should fall into the lowest band under the amended Act. Furthermore, in the first instance, the tax should go to the local authorities. There will be a bill of €90,000 from Revenue to Laois County Council this year. How is the council going to discharge it? There is no provision in its budget for it this year, as far as I am aware and I am unsure how it is to deal with it. One assumes it will be added to rents. Will the Minister clarify these two points for me?

What is the position on private houses? Let us suppose evidence is produced such as the documents I have before me, one of which is taken from the website the Minister mentioned, while the other is from a local estate agent. If my neighbours fill in the form and send it back and enclose such information, will that be good enough or must they obtain a valuation from a valuer? This is piling up on top of people. I put it to the Minister that many people in my area, in common with many others, including Meath East, are in negative equity, unemployed and in a serious state of distress, not only financial distress but also emotional and mental distress because of what is happening.

Let us put aside the rights and wrongs of property tax. Where there is a dispute or significant variation between the evidence and what Revenue is looking for in the letters, will the evidence suffice if a householder fills in the assessment and includes such evidence? Who will rectify the position in the case of local authority houses? The problem is, according to my information, that local authorities are not taking responsibility. This has come up several times throughout the country. Tenants are being informed by local authorities that it is a matter for Revenue and that they should deal with it where properties are being over-valued and the bill has been sent to them. Tenants are also being told by Revenue that they must not spoil the return. If Joe Bloggs in a council house receives a notice from Revenue, with the booklet and the letter, that following assessment the property is worth €157,000 or €160,000, he must comply. That is what people are being told on the helpline. Will the Minister clarify what they should do in that situation?

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