Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputies opposite for the variety of their contributions. I listened to them with great interest. The estimates prepared by my Department regarding the number of people will not be paying this charge indicate that the number of local authority, voluntary and co-operative housing tenants comes to 155,000; ghost estates, which are mainly in category 4 but also category 3, account for 32,000 households; and 18,000 people are in receipt of mortgage interest supplement. Approximately 205,000 tenants will be exempted from this charge. These figures make it clear that a large number of people will be exempt.

In regard to Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's comments, section 12 of the Bill vests specific powers in the local authority manager in exceptional circumstances.

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