Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the extent to which it is intended that local household or other service charges will go directly towards the provision of services currently or previously provided by local authorities or likely to be so provided in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39313/12]
View answerLocal authorities are permitted, under statute, to charge fees in relation to the services they provide. Internationally, local services are administered by local authorities and financed by local service charges. In Ireland, local authorities are responsible for, among other services, public parks; libraries; open spaces and leisure amenities; planning and development; fire and emergency services; roads; maintenance and cleaning of streets and street lighting. These facilities benefit everyone.
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the household charge is paid into the Local Government Fund. Revenues from the charge are disbursed back to local authorities in general-purpose grants and support the provision of essential local services. Income from the household charge and the potential from a future property tax are critical in ensuring that local authorities have the necessary resources to continue to deliver services to their communities.
