Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of properties he estimates to be liable to pay the €200 charge under the Local Government Charges Act 2009; the number that have been paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35816/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing this charge on all non-principal private residences, including private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. The charge has been set at €200 per annum. When the Bill was at Second Stage in the Houses, it was indicated that the charge could be expected to raise about €40 million a year, based on collection from approximately 200,000 properties. However, census and other data suggest that there may be 400,000 properties in the State liable for the charge and the annual potential yield could therefore be significantly higher than estimated at present. The amount raised as at 12 October 2009 is just under €25 million, 82% of which has been collected through on-line payments.