Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

In any event, I am a little lost. The matter I wish to raise with the Deputy Leader relates to the Bill on the local property tax, all Stages of which, as Members know, will be debated in this House next week. During statements on the budget I raised the fact that the charge will be levied on local authority and social housing. That is a ridiculous provision. One is talking about having one branch of the local authority write a cheque to give to another branch of the local authority. In the case of voluntary housing providers, when surcharged on social housing units on the basis of the differential rent system, which means that it is on the basis of the tenant?s ability to pay, the housing associations cannot recoup this money through charging higher rents to tenants. Therefore, it will bring voluntary housing providers to their knees. I ask the Deputy Leader to raise this matter with the Minister for Finance before it is too late, and prior to us being forced to put this provision through the House next week.