Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 962: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the €200 charge for second houses will be paid over to local authorities in 2009 and in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Government decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 of this charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is intended to make available to local authorities a locally-based, relatively stable stream of income.

Monies from the charge are being retained by individual local authorities and are being used to support the provision of local services. I have no plans to change these arrangements.