Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tax Reliefs.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

456 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some local authorities throughout the country still fail to introduce tax relief at source for the purpose of council or corporation mortgage holders; if he can highlight those local authorities which have still not introduced this system of tax collection to ensure that borrowers are given the relevant tax credit that they are entitled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22277/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

The introduction of the tax relief at source – TRS – which came into effect on 1 January 2002 presented administrative difficulties for a number of local authorities. The computer systems used by local authorities are supplied by the Local Government Computer Services Board – LGCSB – other than in the case of the four Dublin authorities, Cork County Council, Cork Corporation, Cavan County Council, Wexford County Council and Wexford Corporation. In order to cater for TRS, the LGCSB, in conjunction with the local authorities served by their systems, carried out major modifications to the existing housing loans systems. The nine authorities who are using computer systems other than the LGCSB systems have had to carry out their own modifications to cater for TRS.

I understand that the tax relief system is now in operation in all local authorities other than South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Fingal County Councils. In relation to these authorities, I understand that the system will be in operation shortly and that appropriate adjustments will be made to mortgage holders accounts.