Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for waivers to the new household charge for persons on social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14597/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland under its fiscal consolidation measures commits to the introduction of a property tax for 2012 and to an increase in the property tax for 2013. The Programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such services.

In light of the complex issues involved, a property tax, requiring a comprehensive property valuation system, would take time to introduce and accordingly, to meet the revenue measure in the EU/IMF Programme, I have already indicated my intention to introduce a household charge in 2012.

I will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future on the legislative and administrative requirements necessary to implement the household charge including the applicability of waivers to the charge.

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons with private wells who do not receive water from the public mains system will have to pay any charges for their water under the new water metering scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14598/11]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals for the introduction of residential water meters in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14652/11]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 147 together.

In order to address a commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department is preparing proposals for the installation of meters on households connected to a public water supply. I expect to bring proposals on the matter to the Government for consideration shortly. Subject to Government approval, I expect the installation of water meters will commence in early 2012.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a system in operation whereby persons can pay the non-principal private residence levy by instalment if they can prove they are suffering financial hardship; if he will consider introducing such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14606/11]

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.