Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
229. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate of the cost of setting up the system for the collection of the local property tax including the cost of the time spent on the project by existing Revenue staff and new staff recruited for this specific project, IT costs, consultancy fees, public advertising and any other related costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38383/13]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the introduction of the Local Property Tax (LPT), which amounts to the largest extension of the self-assessment system in its history, represents a significant administrative challenge for Revenue. The Expenditure Report for 2013, which was published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last December, made a provision of €25.9 million in 2013 for the implementation of LPT. The Commissioners have confirmed that the total cost incurred in setting up LPT operations to the end of August 2013 is €21.099 million. The costs under various headings are as follows:
|
2012 |
2013 (End-Aug) |
|
|
Total Salaries (Permanent and temporary staff) |
€757,000 |
€7,737,000 |
|
External IT Systems Development |
€1,552,000 |
€5,803,000 |
|
Postage |
€1,150,000 |
|
|
Call Centre (Outsourcing) |
€2,276,000 |
|
|
Advertising |
€596,000 |
|
|
Accommodation / Fittings etc. |
€492,000 |
|
|
Financial Transaction Charges |
€399,000 |
|
|
Printing |
€209,000 |
|
|
Valuation Fees |
€66,000 |
|
|
Training Travel Costs |
€35,000 |
|
|
Security |
€27,000 |
|
|
Consultancy Fees |
Nil |
|
|
Total |
€2,309,000 |
€18,790,000 |
I am further advised that by the end of August 2013 over 1.58 million LPT returns had been filed and approximately €191 million had been transferred by Revenue to the Exchequer.
