Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when a property becomes vacant during the course of the year, the current scheme does not provide for part refund of a rates bill levied by the council; his plans to introduce a system in which partial relief could be obtained for the proportions of the year when the premises was not drawing upon council services. [10150/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under current legislation, the owner rather than the occupier may be liable for commercial rates if the property in question is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate. Owners of vacant properties are entitled to a refund of rates if the property was vacant at the date of the making of the rate for any of the following reasons:

if the premises are unoccupied for the purpose of the execution of additions, alteration or repairs;

if the owner is bona fide unable to obtain a suitable tenant at a reasonable rent; and

if the premises are held vacant pending re-development.

While I am keeping all matters relating to commercial rates under review, I have no plans to amend these provisions.

Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 398.