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Property Taxation Exemptions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Questions (83)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

83. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered allowing an exemption to the local property tax for an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the serious failures by the local authority as revealed by a 2007 fire and safety audit that it conducted; if his attention has been drawn to the upgrades being made by the local authority to all local authority-owned properties on the estate but have refused to do so for privately owned properties and will not provide details of the 2007 report to residents; if this matter has been previously raised with him, highlighting the disparity between public and privately owned homes in the estate; if, given the above, he will allow an exemption to be made to this estate for the tax in view of the serious fire and safety problems along with dangerous building materials and electrical problems that have culminated in fires claiming several people's lives since the estate was built in 1972 as temporary housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54735/13]

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Written answers

I am advised by Bray Town Council that the estate in question was built in 1972 by Wicklow County Council, but not as temporary housing, and the houses were built to the standards of the day. A refurbishment programme was carried out in the late 1980s by Wicklow County Council. I understand that prior to 2007 there were a number of fatal fires in the estate but I am advised that none of the fires was attributable to electrical problems in the properties. Nonetheless, at the request of elected members of the council it was agreed to engage consultants to survey and report on the properties. Following a selection process from an independent interview board, consultants were selected to carry out a survey and report on fire safety of local authority houses in the estate. The survey involved a visual inspection of an agreed number of houses and an "opening up" survey of some houses. Details of the report were not released as it refers to specific properties. I am advised the report is the subject of an appeal under the Freedom of Information Acts.

The issues raised by the Deputy are primarily a matter for the local authority concerned and housing policy generally is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I can confirm that the estate in question has not been previously raised with me.

Issues relating to fire safety are not relevant in determining liability to the LPT. Accordingly, whilst homeowners or properties in this estate may be exempt from LPT for another reason, or may be entitled to avail of a deferral arrangement under the legislation, there is no specific reduction in or exemption from LPT in the circumstances outlined. However, the condition of a residential property is relevant to its valuation for LPT purposes.

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