Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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322. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify his position regarding sports clubs which have an occasional licence for bar facilities; the way the rates liability is calculated in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15729/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Commissioner of Valuation is responsible under the Valuation Act 2001 for the valuation of commercial property for the purposes of the calculation, by Local authorities, of commercial rates. The legislation gives me as Minister no role in the valuation of property. Under the Valuation Act 2001 as it stands, a Community Sports Club that has a licence under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904, has all of its premises taken into account when valued.

The legislation in this area is being changed. The Valuation (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2012 was passed by both houses of the Oireachtas on 16th April 2015. After the Bill is enacted and on its commencement an amendment to Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 will take effect 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. 

I am informed by the Commissioner of Valuation that, after the commencement of  the Valuation Amendment Act 2015, his office 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.