Local Authority Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2012

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

Questions (177, 178, 179, 180)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

180 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households per local authority that are registered for the household charge; the number of households registered to date for the household charge that are exempt from this year’s household charge; the measures that will be taken in advance of the 31 March deadline to inform residents of category three and four houses that they are obliged to register before they receive an exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10130/12]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand, from data provided by the LGMA, that as of 20 February, 2012, a total of 111,271 properties have been registered for payment of the household charge. A total of 3,720 properties have been registered for the purposes of a waiver from payment of the household charge.

The LGMA does not have the sub national details of the registrations sought in the Question.

Significant efforts are being made to ensure that property owners are aware of the household charge and the requirements to make a declaration of liability and to pay the charge by 31 March, 2012. The LGMA and local authorities have commenced a national information campaign to advise people of their responsibilities in relation to discharging their liability to the household charge. A similar and successful advertising and information campaign was undertaken in the context of the €200 charge on non-principal private residences on its introduction in 2009 with further advertising taking place each year since.

A household charge information leaflet is being issued to residential properties in the State at this time. This leaflet specifically advises persons claiming entitlement to a waiver under the provisions of the Act, including those in certain unfinished estates, that they are required to register their property for such purposes. This is also clearly set out in the frequently asked questions on the household charge website www.householdcharge.ie and on the household charge declaration form.

Further radio advertising campaigns and interviews, including adverts on social media and other websites together with other appropriate communication measures and initiatives will be undertaken in the period up to the payment date of 31 March, 2012.

I am confident that those liable to the household charge will be aware of their obligation to discharge their liability for the charge by completing the requisite declaration form and paying the household charge by 31 March 2012 and thereby avoiding any late payment fees or late payment interest.

Michael Creed

Question:

181 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions, if any, he has had with the Department of Social Protection regarding social welfare clients who may wish to opt for a weekly deduction from their social welfare payment to meet their household charge liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10153/12]

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

I have had no discussions on the matter raised in the Question.

Michael Creed

Question:

182 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider greater flexibility in payment options of the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10154/12]

Denis Naughten

Question:

195 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will facilitate the payment of the household charge and septic tank registration via the local post office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10321/12]

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 195 together.

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. There is a range of options available for persons to pay the household charge. An online system www.householdcharge.ie is in place in the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to enable homeowners to pay the household charge by credit/debit card or in four instalments of €25 by direct debit. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque, postal order, credit/debit card or in four instalments of €25 by direct debit by completing the relevant payment details on the declaration form and posting it to Household Charge, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1. Instalment payments are available by direct debit only and persons opting to pay in this way must register their details by 1 March, 2012.

A bureau is in place in the LGMA to administer the charge on a shared service/agency basis for all local authorities. In addition, all county/city councils have been requested to have arrangements in place for persons to attend their principal offices to pay the household charge up to 31 March, 2012. I am satisfied that there is a comprehensive suite of payment options available to persons with a liability to pay the household charge and this is being demonstrated by the large numbers of persons who have registered and paid the charge to date.

Facilities for the registration of domestic wastewater treatment systems are being developed by my Department and will be available from the end of March. It will be possible to register on-line or using a paper application form. To encourage early registration, I have decided that a fee of €5 will apply for the first three months of the registration period, with a charge of €50 thereafter. Full details of how and when to register septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems will be publicised in advance of the launch of the registration facilities and I am confident that the registration options provided will be adequate and convenient for the householders concerned.