Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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614. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures he will implement to reform the commercial rates system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41615/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.

Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. My Department has developed legislative proposals to modernise and consolidate the legislation governing commercial rates. The main issues being addressed in the General Scheme include: the consolidation of over 20 separate pieces of legislation dealing with commercial rates into a single enactment; improved enforcement powers for local authorities to collect rates; provisions to allow the local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support national and local policy objectives; and provisions for temporary abatement for vacant premises.

In this regard, the Government approved the drafting of a Rates Bill at its meeting on 11 April 2017. Details of the proposals have been sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee to invite them to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny.