Early-childhood property rates
Senator Keane asks for consistent nationwide interpretation of rates exemptions for early-childhood services and seeks an extension to rooms providing full-time childcare.
I agree with Senator David Norris on the idea for a national positivity day. If the records are checked, I spoke on this about two years ago. It is not all bad news but it is depressing how the media sometimes just cover the bad news. There are some good news stories and human communication of positivity is good for everybody.
I did not have an opportunity yesterday to welcome the debate on councillors, councillors' rights and the way the situation has changed since the reform of local government. I welcome the Minister's assurances that he will take account of the new review group recommendations, when they are made, in association with the AILG and LAMA. He will be looking at that situation and we can expect some positive changes.
I tabled a Commencement matter on the abolition of rates for child care facilities. I have been advocating this for a long time. We now have two years of free preschool for every child in Ireland. This is the first year the Department of Education and Skills has become involved in preschool inspections. As a result of the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012, all the not-for-profit crèches do not now pay rates.
The Minister of State stated: "In addition to the exemption of those that provide child care and early education on a not-for-profit basis, the Valuation Office's interpretation of paragraph 10, Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 means that those that only provide the early childhood care and education scheme are also exempt from rates."
Comment on this
I have it in writing from the Minister and the Department of Justice and Equality. I have mentioned it because Early Childhood Ireland carried out a survey and discovered the interpretation of the way rates are to be implemented on early childhood care premises is different in every county. I am asking that a note be sent to every local authority informing them the Valuation Office's interpretation of paragraph 10 should be interpreted the same in every county, which is that those that only provide early childhood care and education schemes are exempt from rates.
Comment on this
If I come back, I will be asking to have included in that exemption the square footage of rooms in other settings that provide full-time child care. That is not there yet.