I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 71 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 is liable to pay the household charge unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to determine liability and pay the charge. The Local Government Management Agency is administering the household charge system on a shared service basis with all councils.
I understand from the data recently provided that as of 29 November 2012, the number of registrations, including waiver registrations, for the household charge is 1.1 million. The table following details the total number of payments and waivers registered nationally and by local authority area. The figures are also presented as a percentage of the estimated total number of liable properties nationally and locally.
Overall, compliance continues to grow. It ranges from local authority to local authority, from 85% in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to 55% in Donegal. It is a matter for each local authority to use the provisions of the legislation, combined with its local knowledge and judgment, to increase compliance. I expect that local authorities will use the available avenues to the fullest to help fund the services which are most important. The legislation empowers local authorities to bring and prosecute summary proceedings for an offence, and local authorities will pursue those who may have a liability and initiate court proceedings where it is considered appropriate.
I urge all liable persons who have not paid the charge to contact their local authority as a matter of urgency. Property owners who are unsure of their liability should also contact their local authority.
County/City Council
|
Estimated number of liable properties
|
Total registered (paid + waivers)
|
Registrations as a % of total estimated liable properties
|
Carlow
|
18,257
|
12,097
|
66%
|
Cavan
|
25,611
|
17,204
|
67%
|
Clare
|
45,786
|
33,046
|
72%
|
Cork City
|
41,649
|
28,125
|
68%
|
Cork County
|
143,887
|
93,123
|
65%
|
Donegal
|
65,331
|
36,139
|
55%
|
Dublin City
|
190,685
|
138,359
|
73%
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
|
74,390
|
63,396
|
85%
|
Fingal
|
90,286
|
62,044
|
69%
|
Galway City
|
27,086
|
20,184
|
75%
|
Galway County
|
62,851
|
41,765
|
67%
|
Kerry
|
58,792
|
43,475
|
74%
|
Kildare
|
68,215
|
45,856
|
67%
|
Kilkenny
|
32,067
|
21,417
|
67%
|
Laois
|
26,185
|
16,475
|
63%
|
Leitrim
|
13,069
|
9,176
|
70%
|
Limerick City
|
20,380
|
14,131
|
69%
|
Limerick County
|
46,473
|
31,741
|
68%
|
Longford
|
12,928
|
8,761
|
68%
|
Louth
|
41,176
|
25,255
|
61%
|
Mayo
|
51,363
|
38,741
|
75%
|
Meath
|
60,652
|
38,278
|
63%
|
Monaghan
|
20,176
|
13,871
|
69%
|
North Tipperary
|
24,839
|
18,077
|
73%
|
Offaly
|
25,224
|
15,175
|
60%
|
Roscommon
|
23,888
|
16,124
|
68%
|
Sligo
|
25,281
|
17,821
|
70%
|
South Dublin
|
81,822
|
52,378
|
64%
|
South Tipperary
|
30,368
|
20,737
|
68%
|
Waterford City
|
15,753
|
10,661
|
68%
|
Waterford County
|
24,777
|
16,474
|
67%
|
Westmeath
|
29,872
|
20,448
|
69%
|
Wexford
|
56,030
|
36,695
|
66%
|
Wicklow
|
45,665
|
32,035
|
70%
|
National
|
1,620,814
|
1,109,284
|
68%
|