Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are satisfied that there is transparency here in regard to 2014.

The local property tax, LPT, was paid into the local government fund along with motor tax receipts, which was always done. A total of €281 million went directly to local authorities; €260 million was paid to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for essential non-national roads; €12.5 million went to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the vehicle and computer services division for the operation of that essential service; and €439 million was paid to Irish Water, which is consistent with the way in which it was done previously. A total of €520 million was paid to the Exchequer.

Let me restate that 100% of all local property tax will be retained by local authorities in 2015. That is an absolute fact. If Deputy Stanley disagrees with the manner in which it is being done he can make alternative proposals, but I would like to see him stand over a situation where he disagrees with an equalisation fund that helps weaker local authorities and weaker areas of the country to maintain what they had in the previous year.

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