Written answers
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Local Authority Charges
9:00 pm
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding staged payments of the non-principal private residence charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14440/11]
Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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.
The charge is levied on a fixed liability date in each calendar year and payment becomes due two months after that date. There is then a further month's grace period to pay the charge, giving a total of three months during which the charge may be paid before penalties for late payment commence. Given this length of time and the relatively modest nature of the charge, it is not considered that an instalment payment plan is merited in this case.
The Act places collection of the charge under the care and management of the relevant local authority, and interpretation and implementation of the legislation is a matter for the local authorities in the first instance.
I have no plans to amend the payment arrangements with regard to the charge on non-principal private residences at present but I will take the views of the Deputy into account in any future assessment of the charge.
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