Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
460 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a waiver system for persons living abroad who genuinely were not aware of the non-principal private residence charge and now owe arrears and penalties in respect of their property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32016/12]
View answer468 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is an appeals process available in relation to late payment fines for the non-principal private residence fee. [32259/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 468 together.
The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties.
Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect non-principal private residence charges and late payment fees due to it and all charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned. In this regard, application of the legislation in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.
I have recently issued guidelines to local authorities in relation to the operation of the "care and management" provisions of the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 in the context of individual situations where genuine hardship in having to discharge a liability in a single payment can be demonstrated. The guidelines set out the modalities for local authorities in relation to entering into payment arrangements for the discharge of outstanding liabilities in instalments over a specified period. Enquiries in this regard should be directed to the relevant local authority.
