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Household Charge Collection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (58)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

58. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households that have paid the household charge to date; the changes he has made to the communication campaign; the number of letters that have been sent out to households which have not paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide 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) administers 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 14 September 2012, 1,045,499 households had registered for payment of the charge, equating to revenue of some €103m. I am informed by the LGMA that between 2 and 13 July, reminder letters in respect of 103,905 non-registered addresses were issued by local authorities nationwide, with a second tranche issuing between 7 and 20 August in respect of 65,212 households. Local authorities are currently in the process of issuing a third and final tranche of reminder letters to 52,246 households nationwide. In total, some 221,363 letters have been issued to date to households that have not paid the charge.

The communication and advertising campaign for the household charge is a matter for the LGMA and the county and city councils. Following the 31 March payment deadline, national and local radio advertisements were undertaken to remind people of their obligations under the household charge legislation. In particular, this campaign was aimed at reminding householders that late payment penalties applied after 31 March and that unpaid household charges and late payment penalties remain as a charge against the property concerned and will have to be discharged in the event of the transfer or sale of the property. In addition, local authorities also took local initiatives to remind people of their obligations under the legislation. Further local and national communications and advertising will be undertaken by the LGMA and local authorities as considered appropriate.

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