Written answers

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Valuation Office

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in relation to the soon to be passed Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012, he will clarify the situation, and if the changes in valuation of sports clubs will have immediate effect when the legislation is passed, and thus influence rates bills for clubs so as to benefit clubs in the current year, or if he will outline what the Valuation Office or local authorities have to do to implement the legislation; the length of time this process should take and when sports clubs may expect to see revised rates bills; if the process is prolonged, if sports clubs will be able to seek a refund or amended bill from the date the legislation is passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14823/15]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 was passed by the Seanad on 20th November 2014 and by the Dáil on 31st March 2015. There were some amendments to the Bill in the Dáil and it is scheduled to return to the Seanad on 16th April 2015 when it is expected to complete its passage through the Oireachtas.

Section 39 of the Bill, if enacted, will amend Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 and will provide a partial exemption from commercial rates for Community Sports Clubs that are licensed under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act, 1904. It will mean that for Community Sports Clubs that can have a bar, it will only be the commercial parts of their premises that will be valued for rates purposes rather than a valuation of all of their premises which is what happens under the current legislation. I am pleased to have been able to introduce an amendment which will give relief to local sports clubs who fulfil an important role in our communities and to resolve a long standing anomaly in the legislation.  

If enacted, the Commissioner of Valuation will initiate a process of updating the valuation lists for Community Sports Clubs that will benefit from the amendment to Schedule 4. This process will involve seeking information from Community Sports Clubs so that the necessary changes to the valuation lists can be made. Any changes resulting from an amendment to Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 will be made in 2015 and will be effective for rates purposes in 2016. The calculation and collection of commercial rates is a matter for Local Authorities.

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