Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I wish to make two points, one of which is general in nature while the other is specific. A property tax does not sit easy with people, in fact no tax does so. However, I welcome the way the property tax is structured. I also welcome the way in which the Minister outlined it to the House. I will be supporting the Bill because I cannot, with easy conscience, argue against specific cuts to social welfare and then argue against this measure, which is designed to raise revenue. I am very cognisant of the fact that revenue must be raised. I would prefer it if we were not obliged to introduce any further taxes but I am of the view that the approach the Minister is taking in respect of this tax is fair.

Before making the specific point to which I have already alluded, I wish to make a declaration of interest in that I am a director of the Irish Girl Guides Trust Corporation Limited. It was in the latter role that I became aware of the issue I wish to raise. The Irish Girl Guides Trust - like many other children's and youth organisations - holds properties it uses for activities relating to children's and youth activities. These are held on a non-residential and non-commercial basis. Girl guides would go and spend weekends away at the type of properties to which I refer. They are charged very low fees for their stay because no profits are made. Most of the properties in question are in need of serious investment and repair. The property tax could place many of them in a precarious position.

I have tabled an amendment for Committee Stage in respect of this matter but I wanted to take the opportunity to raise it now in order that the Minister might have time to consider it. I can supply to him a list of the properties owned by the Irish Girl Guides Trust Corporation Limited. I am aware that other children's and youth organisations will be in a similar situation to the Irish Girl Guides. The type of properties to which I refer were exempted from the household charge.