Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Commercial Rates

Photo of Johnny GuirkeJohnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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303. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of commercial rates valuation appeals awaiting a result in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the average waiting time for such appeals; the measures he plans to put in place to alleviate the situation in view of such a high backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14360/20]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Valuation Office is currently engaged in a national programme to revalue all commercial and industrial properties in Ireland.

Prior to the commencement of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, ratepayers could appeal a final valuation firstly to the Commissioner of Valuation and subsequently to the Valuation Tribunal. Since the passing of this Act, appeals are now made solely to the Valuation Tribunal. However, it is also the case that a dissatisfied ratepayer can, in the first instance, make representations to the Valuation Office within 40 days of the date of the issue of a proposed valuation certificate. If, following consideration of the representations, any ratepayer is still dissatisfied with the valuation to be placed on their property, they have a right to lodge a formal appeal with the Valuation Tribunal within 28 days of the new valuation appearing on a valuation list.

As of 1 July 2020, the Valuation Tribunal has 2,480 appeals on hand with the average length of time to determine an appeal of approximately 18 months. The number of appeals awaiting a result from each year 2017 to 2019 is as follows: 2017 (403); 2018 (162) and 2019 (1891).

A number of measures have been put in place to support the expedited processing of appeals including the introduction of a call-over system allowing an opportunity for parties to review their options and a recent revision of the Tribunal rules. 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.

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