Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 499: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to certain inconsistencies regarding the application of commercial rates payable to local authorities in respect of private childcare facilities and if she will outline the current position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30466/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The issue of local authority commercial rates comes within the remit of the Department of Finance, which has responsibility for fiscal policy, and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has responsibility for the local authorities.

The Valuation Office, which comes under the remit of the Department of Finance, is responsible for the implementation and interpretation of the Valuation Act 2001 under which commercial rates are levied by the local authorities. The Valuation Office prepares valuation lists of commercial properties, as required by the Act, and local authorities are obliged to collect rates on properties which are listed.

Following concerns expressed by childcare providers throughout the country, I raised the issue of commercial rates on pre-school services with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., who confirmed that, in line with the existing legislative framework, local authorities have no discretion in the collection of commercial rates on properties which are on the Valuation List. As stated, responsibility for the Valuation Act 2001 and the Valuation Office fall within the remit of the Minister for Finance, and therefore any change to the Act including any provision for exemptions is for his Department to consider, and my Department would have no role in this matter.