Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
786 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine the possibility of re-opening the option for persons to pay the household charge in instalments in view of the fact that some households did not receive any information regarding the charge of the payment options before 1 March deadline had passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17681/12]
View answerThere 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. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque, postal order, credit/debit card by completing the relevant payment details on the declaration form and posting it to Household Charge, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1. Instalment payments were available by direct debit only and persons opting to pay in this way had to register their details with the LGMA before 1 March, 2012. This deadline was necessary in order to meet banking requirements for direct debit arrangements.
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 arrangements in place for persons to attend their principal offices to pay the household charge.
I am satisfied that there are comprehensive suites of payment options available to persons to pay the household charge and I have no proposals along the lines suggested.
