Government told to pay its way on rates

DUBLIN City Council is losing nearly e30 million annually because State buildings are exempt from paying commercial rates.

Donaghmede ward councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha (SF) sought the information from Dublin City Manager, Owen Keegan, at a recent meeting.

Mr Keegan said:

“The estimate for rates which would be due from State buildings currently exempt is

?¬29.6 million for 2013.

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Cllr Mac Donncha told Northside People: “The citizens of Dublin are at a loss of nearly e30 million per annum because the Government does not pay its way in our city.

“There is a major concentration of State buildings in Dublin city, all exempt from paying rates.

“These include Leinster House, Government Buildings, the Department of Finance, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in the Custom House and most other Government departments that have their offices here, as well as the courts and other State premises.

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Cllr Mac Donncha said that some people might say that for the Government to pay rates, it would simply mean one State body paying public money to another.

“But in fact, local government is grossly underfunded in this State and especially in Dublin,

? he added.

“These funds are badly needed to provide vital services including housing, road repairs, better flood defences and amenities for citizens. The law should be changed and the Government should pay up.”