Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has researched the possibility of improving financing for local government by replacing commercial rates with site value taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22344/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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While the concept of site value taxation has been raised in other contexts, it has not previously been considered as a viable alternative to commercial rates. Independent consultants were engaged by my Department last year to carry out a wide ranging review of local government financing. The consultants are assessing, inter alia, the totality of local authorities' current funding requirements to 2010, the extent to which improved or alternative funding options may be required and, if so, they are to carry out an in depth examination of these options. I will consider the consultancy recommendations when the report is submitted to me shortly.