Sharon Keogan urges rates exemption for county councillors

I rise to address the significant importance to our local governance and the equitable treatment of our elected representatives. I am calling on the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify whether the exemptions from commercial rates, which currently benefits TDs, Senators and MPs, will be extended to the constituency offices of county councillors. As we all are aware, the exemption from commercial rates for the constituency offices of TDs, Senators and MPs is a recognition of the essential public service they provide. It helps them to operate their offices, thereby enabling them to focus on servicing their constituents more effectively. However, county councillors, who are the backbone of our local government system, do not currently enjoy this exemption. These dedicated representatives work tirelessly to address the needs and concerns of the local communities. Of all elected representatives, they are the closest to our citizens and they are often the first point of contact for constituents seeking assistance on a wide range of issues, from housing and planning to local infrastructure and community services. It is only fair and just that county councillors receive the same support as their counterparts in the national and European parliaments. The financial burden of commercial rates on their constituency offices can be significant, especially considering that they receive the lowest pay of all elected representatives and that the majority of them have to work part-time in addition to their council work. A report in the Sunday Business Post in 2023 highlighted that Ireland has the weakest local government in the European Union. While broader reforms strengthening local government are solely needed, the extension of the commercial rates exemption is a good start and is really readily achievable. The lack of this exemption is an unnecessary impediment to councillors' ability to serve the public effectively. So I urge the Minister to consider the invaluable road that county councillors play in our democratic system and to inform this House if the extension of the commercial rates exemption to their constituency office has been discussed by his ministry and, if so, what have they discussed and what plans and timelines have they formulated? I want to thank Senator Keoghan for her question and for the opportunity to discuss the rationale for the evaluation of the constituency offices. I am taking this commencing matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Deputy James Brown. Tal Teheran is an independent government agency under the ages of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Tal Teheran provides a property registration system, property valuation service and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Tal Teheran is independent of the ages of its valuation functions under the Evaluation Act 21 as amended and as Minister for State have no functioning decisions in this regard. The Evaluation Act 2001 as amended provides that a property is rateable unless it is expected exempt. The Schedule 4 of the Act 2001 lists the category of property that is not liable for commercial rates. Paragraph 19 of the Schedule 4 provides for an exemption for premises occupied by a member of either Houses of the Oireachtas or a representative in the European Parliament and used exclusively by that member or representative for the purpose of accommodating their constituency office. This exemption does not extend to constituency offices of City and County Councils or offices of premises occupied by political parties. This provision in the Act was introduced to address a pre-existing anomaly which existed prior to the passage of legislation, where a Deputy or Senator who located his or her constituency office in the Leinster House office complex was not liable for rates and the premises occupied by the Houses of the Oireachtas being an Office of the State would have been exempt from the rates under Section 153 of the Act, and now in Schedule 4, paragraph 12a. Whereas up to 2 May 2002, the date of commencement and Evaluation Act 2001, if a Deputy Consigliabre was located outside the Leinster House, then he or she was liable for rates in respect of that property. Therefore, in the interest of equity, any building or part of a building occupied by a member of the Oireachtas or the European Parliament is now deemed to be exempt from the rates under the 2001 Act, if such a property has occupied by a member and used exclusively for the purpose of accommodating the member's constituency office. This is established in Schedule 4, paragraph 19 of the Evaluation Act 2001. Notwithstanding the dignity and time commitment to the performance of the role and function of the City and County Councilors, which we all acknowledge, is that elected members of local authorities, while playing a popular and privileged part in a function of local government, fulfilling their role in a part-time capacity, where the vocational voluntary aspect of public service is a long-standing valiant part of the elected office. Consequently, very few, if any, local elected members occupy a reasonable premises that he uses for the purpose of accommodating their constituency office, but we do acknowledge the great work the Councillors do and the vital role they play. There are no plans at this time for the exemption contained in paragraph 19 of Schedule 4 of the Act to be extended to include constituency office occupied by City and County Councilors, for the reasons I have outlined. Exempting any class use of properties such as offices used exclusively by County and City Councilors in the performance of their role will require an amendment to the primary legislation, which is the Valuation Act 2001. Thank you. Thank you very much, Minister. Senator Drill. Thank you, Minister. I think that is something that this House might look to in amending the paragraph 19 of the Schedule 4 of the Act. While I have the Minister, I would like to ask if the Department have discussed changes to the voucher system for County Councilors. Currently, Councilors have received $4,200 in voucher expenses and $960 in unvoucher expenses. However, after extensive experience of working with many Councilors, it is clear that the current reumeration is insufficient, particularly considering the impact of inflation on operating costs. Councilors too often are restricted in serving their constituents, with the more fortunate ones having to reach into their pockets to make up the difference. Does the Minister for Local Government intend to reform or improve the current voucher system? These measures would not only provide financial relief but also acknowledge the critical work that the County Councilors do in representing and advocating for the communities. In conclusion, I ask the Minister to provide a clear and definite answer to this. Our County Councilors deserve the same level of support and recognition as all our local representatives and elected representatives. Extending the commercial rates exemption to the constituency offices and improving the voucher system is a step forward, ensuring fairness and equity in our local governance system and towards strengthening our local democracy. Thank you. I would like to thank Senator Keoghan for her contribution on this matter and note the concern she has raised on her contribution, particularly the point that you raised in terms of the voucher and the voucher and the voucher. It is a matter that I have no doubt you will take up with the Minister for Local Government, my colleague John Cummins. Obviously, the matter you have raised, he will be brought to his attention as well. I will reiterate that the total tiering is independent to the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, and that neither myself nor the Minister for Housing and Local Government have any function or decision in this regard. The Valuation Act 2001, as amended, provides that a property is rateable unless it is expressly exempted. Schedule IV lists the category of properties which are liable for commercial rights. Paragraph 19 of the Schedule IV provides for an exemption for premises occupied by a member of either House of the Oireachtas or a representative in the European Parliament and used exclusively by that member or a representative of a purpose to accommodate the constituency office. This exemption does not extend to the constituent offices of the City and County and an office of the Oireachtas occupied by political parties. Just take a second. There are no plans this time to amend the Valuation Act to change which properties are exempt from commercial rates. This requires primary legislation to require a full review which will encompass all potential effects including the properties discussed in today's debate. Thank you.