Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will introduce legislation to implement the budget 2009 €200 levy on second homes; if he will raise these levies through local authorities; if the revenue generated by the levy will be allocated to the local authorities to compensate for reduced local government funding from central Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39445/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the mechanism for identifying residences in regard to the charge on non-principal private residences; if the charge will fall due on a specified annual date or on some other date; if it is intended that moneys collected will be retained locally or remitted for central distribution; if the latter, the mechanism that will be employed and the ratio that will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39203/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 together.

The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge will be set at €200 per dwelling, and will come into effect in 2009. It will be levied and collected by local authorities, and will be used to support the provision of local services. I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the proposed charge as soon as possible, and this will set out the detailed measures necessary to give effect to it.