Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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60. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to expedite the process of property valuations in the context of where there are large new businesses opening who should be subject to immediate rating but will not have to pay rates as there is no facility to retrospectively collect such rates in the absence of the immediate valuation process being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Under section 28 (4) of the Valuation Act 2001, a Revision Officer appointed by the Commissioner of Valuation may carry out a revision of valuation in relation to a particular property only if a material change of circumstances has occurred such as the coming into being of a new building, a change in value due to structural alterations of an existing building, total or partial demolition of a building or a sub-division or amalgamation of relevant property. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his function under the Act.

I have been informed by the Valuation Office that when a request for revision of valuation is received, a revision officer is appointed to value the subject property and when valued a proposed valuation certificate is issued to the occupier of the property, in accordance with section 29 of the Act. The occupier will then have 28 days to make representations to the Revision Officer if dissatisfied with any material particular stated in the proposed valuation certificate. Having considered any representations received, the Revision Officer will issue a final certificate of valuation to the occupier of the property and to the local authority and the property is then entered on the relevant valuation list. A reasonable period of time must be allowed to carry out the valuation, for the periods provided for in the legislation to make representations, and for those representations to be considered. There are no significant delays to the valuation of new premises.

Where a newly constructed commercial property which is deemed to be a "new build" is entered on a valuation list it is liable for the 'property entry levy' charge under the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 which is equivalent to rates and levied on all newly erected or newly constructed relevant properties in the year such properties are valued and entered on a valuation list.