Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the advertising campaign regarding the payment of second home tax currently taking place; the cost of same; if he will outline the other measures being taken to collect the taxes due; his further views on the fact that local authorities have not sent reminders for 2010 to those who paid in 2009, and if a more payment friendly policy will be introduced and forms and payment facilities introduced for those who do not want to do business on-line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29070/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which introduced the non-principal private residence charge, places the onus on individual property owners to assess their liability for the charge in the first instance and there is no obligation on local authorities to issue reminders or demands. However, anybody who paid the charge last year and provided an e-mail address has been sent an e-mail reminder in respect of possible liability in 2010.

In addition, a number of local authorities have separately sent reminders to property owners registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Local authorities have also undertaken advertising campaigns this year, both locally and nationally. As this is a matter for the local authorities themselves, I do not have information on the costs of such advertising. Payment of the charge may be made through the dedicated website www.nppr.ie as well as by post or over the counter at a local authority office.