Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of appeals before the Valuation Tribunal in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the remuneration and expenses awarded to members of the tribunal on each of those years; the funding allocated to the tribunal in each of those years; the role of the tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42757/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Valuation Tribunal is an independent statutory body which was established under the Valuation Act, 1988 and continues under the Valuation Act, 2001. The role of the tribunal is as follows:

(1) In accordance with section 37 of the Valuation Act, 2001, It hears and decides appeals against decisions of the Commissioner of Valuation on the valuation and revaluation of commercial properties for rating purposes under 33 of the Act.

(2) In accordance with section 22(5) of the Derelict Sites, 1990, it must consider and determine appeals by owners of derelict sites against the determination by local authorities of the market values of those sites under section 22(1) of the Act.

The members of the tribunal are appointed by me, under statute, as Minister for Finance for a period not exceeding five years and are eligible for re-appointment. The membership is drawn mainly from the legal and valuation professions and the appointments are part-time. Currently, there are twenty members serving on the tribunal.

The remuneration (fees) and expenses paid to the members of the tribunal and the tribunal funding allocation in each of the following five specified years were as follows:

Year Members Remuneration Members Expenses* Tribunal Funding Allocation

2006 €131,367 €62,785 €228,000

2007 €126,615 €62,612 €230,000

2008 €159,119 €82,356 €233,000

2009 €147,025 €67,304 €213,000

2010 ** €73,960 €33,676 €300,000

* Travel & subsistence

** 01/01/2010 – 11/11/2010

The numbers of appeals before the tribunal were as follows:

Year Valuation Appeals Derelict Sites Appeals

2006 179 9

2007 185 2

2008 318 11

2009 122 6

2010 213 9