Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of annual revenue raised by the non-principal private residence charge since its introduction in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27404/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The annual amounts collected by city/county councils by 2 October, 2011 in respect of the charge on non-principal private residences, since its introduction in 2009, are set out in the following table.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of annual revenue raised from late payment in respect of renewing an existing account of the non-principal private residence charge since its introduction in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27405/11]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of annual revenue raised from late registration of properties liable for the non-principal private residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27406/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together.

The annual amounts from late payment fees, at 2 October, 2011, in respect of the charge on non-principal private residences are set out in the following table.

Of those amounts in the table above, the amounts of late payment fees, at 2 October, 2011, in respect of 2010 and 2011 relating to account renewals are set out in the following table.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views whether the method of issuing renewal notices by text and e-mail instead of by post in regard to the non-principal private residence charge is adequate considering the fines that are accumulated by persons who may genuinely be unaware of the renewal date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27407/11]

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 (NPPR). The charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. The Act places the onus on the owner to assess his or her liability in the first instance and there is no obligation on local authorities to issue notifications or invoices.

Nationwide advertising has taken place in each year since the introduction of the charge in 2009 to ensure general awareness of the charge and the liability dates. In addition, local authorities have undertaken their own advertising campaigns locally.

I understand that reminder notifications were issued by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and local authorities to those who paid the charge last year in respect of their possible liability for 2011. These notifications were made through e-mail, text and by post. In circumstances where electronic contact details were not provided for contact purposes, it is understood that postal notifications were issued. In the context of the e-mail notifications which were issued, it has been reported that some were automatically regarded by addressee e-mail systems as spam. My Department has taken this up with the LGMA with a view to taking measures, including in consultation with e-mail service providers as necessary, to address the matter.

Significant efforts are being made to ensure that property owners are aware of the charge and the liability dates. However, the charge is based on self assessment principles and it is a matter for persons with a liability to pay the charge by the due date to avoid late payment fees.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is right or legal for local authorities to enforce road levies charges on quarries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I assume that the reference is to development contributions that may be attached as a condition to a planning permission. Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that planning authorities may levy such development. The adoption of individual development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply.

As Minister my role is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each planning authority.