Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
476. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of loss of income that will arise for the local authorities in counties Westmeath and Longford as a result of the planned abolition of the non-principal private residence charge; the way this will be compensated for by the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49427/13]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The self-assessed charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties.
I understand that the Non Principal Private Residence Charge has raised in excess of €1.37 m in respect of 2012 liabilities to date in Westmeath and €0.67m in respect of 2012 liabilities to date in Longford. As such, were the Charge to continue to operate in 2014, I would anticipate combined revenue in both Counties in excess of €2 m. However, 2013 will be the final year of the operation of the Charge.
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. The 2014 Local Government Fund General Purpose Grants will be announced in due course. I am confident that the overall mix of funding provided to the local government sector has been and will continue to be sufficient for the sector to deliver on its responsibilities.
