Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
72. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the local property tax exemption under operation via the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2015 to cover homes that qualify for the defective concrete blocks scheme 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17161/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government "Our Shared Future" includes a number of commitments in relation to the Local Property Tax (LPT). These are
(a) To bring forward legislation for the LPT on the basis of fairness and that most homeowners will face no increase,
(b) To bring new homes, which are currently exempt from the LPT, into the taxation system, and that
(c) All money collected locally will be retained within the county. This is to be done on the basis that those counties with a lower LPT base are adjusted via an annual national equalisation fund paid from the Exchequer.
I am currently examining options for the reform of the Local Property Tax in the light of the 2019 Interdepartmental LPT Review Report, the views of the Budgetary Oversight Committee and the Programme for Government commitments. In this context I am examining a range of issues relating to the tax including the exemptions that apply. I hope to be able to bring proposals for amending legislation to Government soon. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further before the Government has had an opportunity to consider the matter fully.
