Call for rates exemption for Cusack Centre

A North Clare GAA Heritage Centre chronicling the life and times of the former GAA founder, Michael Cusack should be exempt from paying up to €2,000 annually in rates.

That’s according to Councillor Michael Kelly who has requested Clare County Council to apply the same exemption from rates to the Michael Cusack’s Centre as other heritage centres in the county.

Located in the heart of the beautiful Burren in Carron, the centre was established to celebrate Michael Cusack and the association that he founded. The restored traditional thatched cottage reflects the character of 19th century Ireland as this dwelling appears today as it did after the Famine.

Even the courtyard and surrounding fields remain largely untouched.

The Michael Cusack Development Company, a voluntary body, was formed in November 2003 to commemorate the memory of Michael Cusack.

The €1 million project includes restoration of the Burren herdsman’s cottage, development of a visitor’s space as well as research, archive and lecture facilities.

Councillor Kelly made the plea at a recent Ennistymon Electoral Area meeting where he stressed the promoters of this centre needed this money for promotion to maintain its sustainability into the future.

While Clare County Council had provided in the region of €1 million for start-up costs at the centre, the Fianna Fáil Councillor pointed out Michael Cusack’s Centre received no annual support from the council for its annual running costs.

Head of Finance, Niall Barrett explained the rateable valuation of a particular premises is determined by the Valuation Office in Dublin. At the time of valuation there is an appeal process whereby the occupier of the premises valued may appeal against the valuation set for the property.

“Thereafter the valuation may be changed only by an application to the Valuation Office for revision of the valuation. It is the Valuation Office rather than the Council that determines whether or not a particular property is rateable.

“Schedule Four of the 2001 Valuation Act specifies that certain property will not be rateable and this includes ‘any art gallery, museum, library park or national monument which is normally open to the general public and which is not established or maintained for the purpose of making private profit’.

“However, if other activities are carried on at a location such as a retail outlet or a café then such activities may give rise to a rateable valuation,” he explained.

Clare GAA and Pobail are currently funding the Michael Cusack’s Centre.

Councillor Kelly stressed the Michael Cusack’s Centre fulfilled the criteria of being a type of art museum and national monument.

While there may be some refreshments such as tea or coffee for sale, Councillor Kelly said he understood there wasn’t any commercial retail outlet on the premises.

“The Michael Cusack’s Centre acts as a focal point for what is a remote but a beautiful area. Burren Beo and Burren Connect are doing a lot of good work to promote this area and if the centre has to continue paying €2,000 in commercial rates, this will undermine the efforts of tourism promoters.

“I believe the council should make a strong case supporting the exemption of the Michael Cusack’s Centre from rates,” he said.

Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Joe Arkins suggested that a letter should be sent to the council’s Corporate Policy Group (CPG) seeking its support for the exemption, which could be considered as part of the deliberations for the 2013 Budget Estimates.