Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
902. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Meath County Council has received its full allocation of funds from the local property tax in 2013 and the household charge from 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/13]
View answerThe Local Government Management Agency has administered the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I am advised that, as of 31 July 2013, in excess of €137 m has been raised in respect of the Household Charge. The proceeds of the Charge have been re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of general purpose grants.
Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund.
In 2013 Local Property Tax revenue will accrue to the Exchequer. As such, no Local Property Tax revenue has been transferred to the Local Government Fund to date. The Government has indicated an intention to move, from 2014, to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the Tax is raised. The remaining 20% of the Tax collected nationally will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants.
