Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

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. The Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, is administering 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 7 March 2012, a total of 200,101 properties have been registered for payment of the household charge. This equates to income of €20 million.

It is estimated that 1.6 million residential properties are liable to the household charge. If collected in full, the charge has the potential to raise €160 million annually. As an incentive to pay the self-assessment charge, late payment fees and late payment interest apply and amounts due and unpaid remain as a charge against the property concerned. Such amounts will have to be discharged in the event of the sale or transfer of the property concerned. I will keep the income being generated from the household charge under constant review and local authorities and I will take any necessary measures, as appropriate, in regard to compliance with the legislation.

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