Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. In my county, Wicklow, €3 million of the €23 million tax raised will not be kept locally next year. This is an improvement on the €5 million in 2025 but it needs to be eliminated. I do not suggest it be taken from the other counties which receive more than what is collected but that it ultimately comes from Exchequer funding. Two aspects of the system need to be changed. The first is the baseline figure, which is used to deprive local authorities of the tax raised in their counties. This is based on a complex formula with very low weighting given to population. Counties with half or less of the population of Wicklow with similar areas have similar baselines. This makes no sense and needs to be scrapped. Second is the local property tax surplus calculation. This percentage is set to ensure the balance is calculated to reduce the amount a council can retain. It is an arbitrary percentage with no basis. Both of these complex formulae need to be scrapped to allow councils to retain all their property tax.

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