Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a recognition within his Department that those paying the non-principal private residence tax are also paying the household charge; his plans to alter the taxation policy on second homes in order that persons are not charged two flat rate taxes; his plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10434/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, set out the legislation underpinning the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences respectively.

Under the legislation, owners of residential property are liable to the household charge, including those persons with a liability to pay the charge on non-principal private residences, unless otherwise exempt.

The Government has established an Inter-Departmental expert Group to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. This Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me by end April 2012. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the modalities of the property tax.

Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the exemption from liability to pay the household charge when a person has had to vacate their home due to long-term infirmity may be extended to apply to those who have not been absent from their property for the full period of 12 months prior to the liability date of 1 January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10343/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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 legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.

There are a number of exemptions and waivers from payment of the household charge under the legislation. In particular, section 4(2) of the Act provides an exemption from liability to pay the household charge for the year in which that liability date falls if, on that date, the owner of a residential property, which was that person's main or sole residence, is not residing in that property by reason of his or her having had to vacate the property due to long term mental or physical infirmity and that person is residing in another property that he/she does not own.

Section 4(6) of the Act defines the meaning of "long term mental or physical infirmity" as that which required the person to vacate the property in which he/she had been dwelling for a continuous period of more than 12 months and provides that such an infirmity must be certified by a registered medical practitioner. I have no proposals to amend this definition.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the new household charge and the septic tank registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10363/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the household charge is to be paid into the Local Government Fund. The proceeds from the household charge will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants, ensuring that those local authorities with lower populations than others do not suffer unduly as a result. In this way, the proceeds from the household charge will go towards the provision of essential local services, including public parks, libraries, open spaces and leisure amenities, planning and development, fire and emergency services, maintenance and cleaning of streets and street lighting.

The Government has indicated its intention to commence the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies later in 2012. There are no plans to install meters in households that supply their own water.

The registration fee for septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems will be a once-off charge. Registration will be valid for 5 years and there will be no charge for re-registration. The national inspection plan, to be drawn up by the EPA, will form the basis for a risk-based inspection system which is to be implemented by the local authorities.

The basic standards to be met by all domestic waste water systems are set out in the new legislation and require systems, irrespective of age, not to cause a risk to public health or the environment. I will shortly be undertaking a public consultation process on draft guidance for the proper operation and maintenance of domestic waste water systems. A public information campaign regarding the new registration system will also take place.

I have stated on a number of occasions that I will keep under review the need to provide financial support to households whose systems are deemed, following inspection, to require substantial remediation. The need for any such support will be only become clearer when inspections are being carried out.