Roscommon agrees to lobby for childcare rates cut
by David Flynn Updated: Wednesday, 28th April, 2010 5:15pm
Members of Roscommon County Council this week agreed to lobby the government for the removal of business rates from private child care centres.
While two council members originally opposed the removal of the rates, there was eventual unanimous agreement of the motion which was brought up by Independent member, Cllr. Tom Crosby from Tarmonbarry.
Cllr. Crosby had asked for the removal of the rates charges on privately operated Child Care Centres, which would leave them in line with the zero rate payments on the similar community operated child care centres.
"The present anomaly is forcing the private centres out of business as they have to compete unfairly with the voluntary sector which is heavily subsidised by the state," said Cllr Crosby.
"Already a number of these centres have closed or substantially reduce their service throughout Roscommon which in turn is a major loss to the communities they provide with this essential child care service."
The first reaction from the council executive wasn't very positive for the gathering of childcare premises owners, including Ronan Bushell from Athlone, who attended the meeting.
"The valuation office have identified privately operated Child Care Centre's as commercial entities and therefore liable for rates," said Fiona Ni Chuinn, Meeting Administrator. "The Valuation Act 2001, Schedule 4 details the criteria for exemption from rates; commercial child care centres do not meet this criteria."
Cllr Crosby said it was most unfair situation he dealt with in his twenty years with the county council. He talked about there being just five privately owned childcare centres paying such high rates, and said that those centres were at a severe disadvantage. Crosby proposed that if the motion was passed, that it be sent around to local authorities around the country to do likewise in their areas.
Strokestown's Cllr Eugene Murphy, in addressing the childcare people in the gallery, said he was against the motion, and suggested that central government be lobbied so the centres would only have to pay a minimal figure, such as €500 per year.
"We have a difficult situation here, and we've many people who can't pay rates," said Cllr Murphy, who is a Fianna Fáil member. "It would be better if you would look at the broader picture."
Cllr Murphy said he had to leave the meeting, and would not be around if a vote was taken on the subject.
Fine Gael's Cllr. Ollie Moore said that the five centres were paying high rates, and were not getting fair play, considering the current climate. His party colleague, Cllr. John Naughten was also in agreement.
However another party colleague, Cllr Dominick Connolly, who lives in Fuerty, said that everybody should pay something.
"We will have an avalanche of people coming in here over rates, if this is allowed," said Cllr. Connolly.
Fianna Fail's Cllr John Keogh said that the childcare centres were providing a great service for the community, especially in the Monksland area, where he lived. He also supported the view of sending the motion to other councils throughout the country.
"There isn't a level playing field here, so a letter should be sent to the Minister for Children, and I would support Cllr. Crosby's motion," said Fianna Fail's Cllr Paddy Kilduff.
Mayor Tony Ward, in supporting, called on councillors who were in political parties to lobby their parties in Dublin to have this motion brought before Dail Eireann.
Cllr Connolly agreed with the other members, about lobbying the government about having a zero rates for public childcare centres.
Ronan Bushell, who is a local childcare centre owner said to this reporter after the meeting, that "it is a beginning," and that they were pleased that all councillors agreed to lobby the government.
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