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Household Charge

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (553, 554, 555)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

552 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the number of dwellings on which the household charge is being paid by instalment; if he will confirm the quantum of cash received in respect of such dwellings by 13 March, 2012 and the number who have paid the second instalment by 14 May, 2012. [26306/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.

The Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. Instalment payments were available by direct debit only and persons opting to pay in this way had to register their details with the LGMA before 1 March, 2012. This deadline was necessary in order to meet banking requirements for direct debit arrangements.

I understand, from data provided by the LGMA, that direct debits in respect of 42,054 residential properties, equating to €1,051,350, were processed in March. Direct debits in respect of 41,733 residential properties, equating to €1,043,325, were processed in May.

John Lyons

Ceist:

553 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has had their payment for the household charge returned to them; if this is an appropriate course of action in view of this person’s willingness to pay the charge but the omission of the late penalty fee. [26311/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

558 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that payments made on the household charge, post the deadline, have been returned to householders who paid the €100, but did not pay the penalty fee; if it is true, the number of households that had the payment returned to them and the value of same; if he will explain the rationale behind the move. [26358/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 and 558 together.

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.

The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.

Section 7 of the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 imposes late payment fees and late payment interest where the owner of a residential property fails to pay the household charge in accordance with the Act.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. The LGMA has informed me that the household charge payment system does not accept household charge payments made after the 31 March deadline unless accompanied by the appropriate late payment fee and late payment interest. I have asked the LGMA to make modifications to the payment system to allow for the retention of the €100 household charge payment in such circumstances, with appropriate follow up in respect of the collection of late payment penalties where due.

I understand that 945 late household charge payments that were not accompanied by the appropriate late payment penalties were returned, equating to €94,500.

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