asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities are claiming full payment of service and water charges from old age pensioners and social welfare recipients; if he has any plans to rationalise this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Local Authorities Service Charges.
24.
Local authorities have powers under the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983 to charge for services provided and also to waive all or portion of any service charge on the grounds of personal hardship. The imposition of charges and the implementation of waivers is entirely a matter for each authority, taking account of individual and local circumstances. While departmental guidelines were issued to local authorities, I have no formal function in the matter and my Department is not apprised as a matter of course of the position regarding individual cases in any local authority area.