Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that Carlow is a difficult area as well. To be clear: the guidelines were set in 2011. It is not the case that they were reviewed in 2011; that is the last time they were changed. No review was planned for the following year, but two years ago we said we would carry out a review and that is currently being done. At the time, when the guidelines were set by the then Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, an extra €5,000 was built in to allow for incomes going up because 2011 was a low period. I accept there is pressure in some areas. We are examining the matter. The agency has done a great deal of work in that regard for us. I hope we will hear about it soon.

The property tax debate is ongoing. It is an issue that is being worked on by the Department in conjunction with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. There is an urban-rural divide and it is a case of Dublin city versus everywhere else as well. The debate is ongoing and the issue will come to a head in late 2020 when the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will announce how we will proceed in that regard. Issues arise with the property tax. I question the reduction in the property tax by certain local authorities. Senator Humphreys outlined the many benefits local authorities could fund by not doing that. I am not sure it was a wise decision on the part of many local authorities. I compliment the local authorities that do not reduce the property tax, and in some cases increase it, because there are benefits to doing that. Initially, when the local property tax was introduced, it was the wrong time. No one wanted it because the country could not afford it. People were under pressure and they could not see the additional benefits it was providing because it was really only plugging a gap in lost finances due to the action of Governments that preceded the Fine Gael-Labour Government. People can see what it can fund when there is extra local property tax, for example, extra activity in important areas such as housing, among others.