Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
503. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the review of 23,000 applications for exemptions to paying the household charge; the reasons for this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3795/13]
View answer505. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households that claimed a waiver for the household charge who have now been informed that they did not qualify for a waiver and must make payment of this charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4203/13]
View answer506. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households who having made an initial payment of the household charge by direct debit did not subsequently make all further instalments as they fell due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4204/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 503, 505 and 506 together.
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date was liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to determine liability and pay the Charge. The Local Government Management Agency is administering the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils.
A liable person is entitled to a waiver from payment of the Household Charge in two circumstances. If a person is entitled to receipt of mortgage interest supplement towards the amount of mortgage interest payable by him or her in respect of that property, he or she is entitled to a waiver. A person who owns a property situated in a category 3 or category 4 unfinished housing estate, listed in the schedule to the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012, is also entitled to a waiver in respect of that property.
I am advised by the Agency that, as of 25 January 2013, 22,954 properties have been registered by applicants seeking a waiver. Each application for a Household Charge waiver is checked and verified by the Agency. I am advised by the Agency that, as of 25 January 2013, there have been 1,394 unfinished housing estate waiver applications and 1,340 mortgage interest supplement waiver applications which have not qualified. Such applicants are informed that they do not qualify for a waiver, and therefore must make payment of the Charge. I am also advised by the Agency that a total of 386 households have made partial direct debit payments and therefore have an outstanding amount due in respect of the Household Charge.
