Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that the Government is open to looking at any system that will obtain the same amount of money. For the ratepayer, the net issue is the cost and for the local authority the net issue is how much money is obtained. We will examine any system that generates the same amount of income, if not more. I refer to the two amendments to the existing Bill tabled in the Seanad.

One provides for more self assessment as a pilot model. That goes towards what the Deputy is seeking. The second is outsourcing some of this work so we can get on with the task. The Deputy is correct. It is frustrating that it is taking so long.

It is important to point out that as a result of the revaluation process more companies and businesses have seen a reduction in their rates than have seen an increase. That is important if we can get the work done on the revaluation and if that trend continues. The reason that occurs is because it is the cost of the rental of one's property or group of properties relative to the actual cost throughout the local authority area and if companies can show that their rental costs have gone up relative to the average cost in the other parts of the local authority area, they will see a reduction in the rateable valuation. That is what happened as a result of the revaluations that have occurred so far.

The Government will examine any sensible amendment or proposal which would help to expedite this. However, the wider issue is that the money must be obtained, and it must be obtained in the fairest way possible. The best way to achieve that is to get these valuations over the line as soon as we can. When valuation officers come to a local authority area, they engage with the local businesses. They have information exchange days and questions and answers. They go through how the rate is struck in detail. That greatly helps in terms of revaluation.

I do not disagree with the Deputy. The retail sector is key. What we must do is gain confidence across the economy and a fundamental part of that is to keep rates down as far as possible. We must also ensure we get the funding somewhere. To do that there must be a fair system across the country. We are moving on this, because it has not been changed or amended over a period of many years. We are making progress, although I accept it is slow. As a result of that progress more businesses are seeing a reduction in their rateable valuation, and that is good news.

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