Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
479 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if those who are on disability allowance have to pay the full amount of the proposed property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29612/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independently chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group has been established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation-based property tax. The Group has recently completed its work and has made recommendations to me on the implementation of a property tax. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government as soon as possible.
480 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who selected to pay the household charge by instalments; ant the total number who have not paid their scheduled instalments. [29649/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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/ or 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 there are 30,781 active direct debit mandates in place in respect of the household charge. 155 mandates were cancelled and the outstanding balance subsequently paid and a further 1,258 mandates have been cancelled or have failed. It is the responsibility of local authorities to pursue cases of non-compliance and local authorities may have recourse to the courts in such cases if appropriate.
481 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have paid the household charge to date. [29650/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 €100 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. I understand from data provided by the LGMA that, as of 15 June 2012, a total number of 959,629 declarations have been made, equating to over €94.5m.
