John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason local authorities are not issuing invoices to persons for the non-principal primary residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38139/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Government in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. With some exemptions, the charge applies to a residential property that is not the sole or main residence of the owner. Income from the charge is used to support the provision of local services.

The Act places the onus on the owner to assess his or her liability in the first instance. There is no obligation on local authorities to issue invoices or demands. Any such obligation would increase the administrative and resource requirements of implementing the charge and would make its collection less cost-effective. As the charge is set at an essentially modest rate of €200 per annum, it is essential that administrative costs be kept to a minimum.