Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his questions. I will deal with the ones on mica in a moment. I will get a note on how the exemption for properties with mica is accessed.

To go back to his earlier question, it is worth emphasising that because of the changes we made in the reduction of rates and widening of bands, most homes will not face an increase. The majority of those that do will face an increase of a single band. There will be some who will face a larger increase, which will be due to the fact that the value of their homes will have gone up by more than the national average across the period since revaluation, but it is important to emphasise that most will not see a change. The Deputy is correct about the shortfall in the equalisation fund. I play a role in that and I repeat my commitment that no local authority will be worse off as a result of these changes when they happen in 2023.

I am very much aware of the massive anxiety and difficulty the mica issue is causing. I recognise the difficulty of this for many homeowners. The exemption will last for a six-year period and, in the course of either his questioning of that of another committee member, I will come back to him with the details on how a homeowner can qualify for that exemption.