Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
64. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible for the remaining persons still on deserted wife's benefit or allowance to be considered eligible to pay the local property tax like other recipients of long-term social welfare payments from said payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51442/13]
View answerPart 10 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for payment of the Local Property Tax (LPT) by deduction at source from certain payments made by the Department of Social Protection. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the legislative provisions concerning deduction of LPT from certain Department of Social Protection payments were drafted in consultation with that Department. The Commissioners have confirmed that LPT can only be deducted from the State Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory), Widow/Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory and Non-Contributory Pension, State Pension (Transition), One-Parent Family payment, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Allowance and Blind Pension. It is therefore not possible to facilitate the deduction requested by the Deputy.
I am advised by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection that Deserted Wife’s Allowance and Deserted Wife’s Benefit are social welfare payments made to women who were deserted by their husbands. These schemes closed to new applications in January, 1997 when the One-Parent Family payment was introduced. I am also advised by Minister for Social Protection that given the relatively small numbers of customers involved and the complexity of the amendments to the social welfare legislation which would be required to implement deduction at source of LPT from these closed schemes, such amendments are not justified in the context of social welfare legislation.
The Revenue Commissioners further advise that property owners can choose from a wide range of options for paying the tax and information on these options is available on their website or by calling the LPT helpline on 1890 200 255. As the e-filing deadline for 2014 has now passed, property owners are advised to submit their Payment Instruction for 2014 to Revenue as soon as possible either by accessing their LPT record online or by calling the LPT helpline.
