Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

People will be able to choose a payment option from a suite of options. The second home tax on second and subsequent homes was introduced in 2009 as a source of additional funding for local government. This will be merged with consideration of what we will do with regard to individual properties when the property tax is introduced in 2013 to 2014, as required under the EU-IMF agreement. The Government has to make a decision about how this charge will be levied and whether it will be based on the market value or site valuation. These issues are outlined in the report which must be considered. The Government has to make a decision and this will happen in the context of the budget.

The database is being developed and it will be of major assistance as it will provide for the first time a comprehensive register of properties in the State. Up to now it was not possible to send bills for payment of the household charge because this was the first new charge since 1961 and no database existed. We will have much more information about home ownership and we will be able to send invoices and bills for the purpose of this tax.

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