Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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898. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the length of time it takes to process an appeal with the Valuation Tribunal; the reason for such a delay in which a higher rates demand is under appeal; if the business has to pay the previous rates amount or the new amount under appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13429/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Valuation Tribunal is an independent appeal body established and operating under the Valuation Acts of 1988 and 2001. It deals with appeals against decisions of the Commissioner of Valuation on the valuation of commercial properties for rating purposes and appeals against determinations of market value on derelict sites or vacant sites made by local authorities under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015.

The Tribunal has experienced unprecedented levels of appeals in recent years in the context of the National Revaluation Programme being carried out by the independent Commissioner of Valuation.  At the beginning of 2020 some 2,600 appeals were on hand with the average length of time to determine an appeal at approximately 18 months.

A number of measures have been put in place in order to support the expedited processing of appeals. One of the new provisions introduced under the Valuation (Amendment) Act, 2015 provides for appeals to be determined by a single member of the Tribunal based on written documentation obviating the need to holding a hearing.  Other developments include the introduction of a call-over system allowing an opportunity for parties to review their options and a recent revision of the Tribunal rules. My Department is working with the Valuation Tribunal on further measures to help deal with cases on hands and those anticipated in the future as quickly as possible.

Under the legislation, notwithstanding any appeal or notice of appeal, the current rate is levied and payable as if no appeal had been made, until the appeal is decided.