Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise with the Tánaiste the issue of the format of letters currently going out to people on rates valuation. First, the format is very misleading. The multiplier is not included on the front page and the valuation is. For example, a man contacted me this morning who thought initially that he had a €1,200 rate to pay. When the 0.227 multiplier for Kerry is applied, however, it was down to approximately €272.

Similarly, yesterday, a very hard-working woman contacted me and thought that she would have to pay up to €30,000. It was, in fact, a figure of approximately €6,500.

Two thirds of people in Kerry are seeing a reduction in their rates, which I welcome. That means, however, that one third are seeing an increase. First, I ask that the format of the letters is changed and, second, that for anyone whose rates are being increased that increase would be deferred, at least, until we are out of the current crisis.

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