Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the expected revenue from a €100 household charge on all residences here; and the effect on the revenue raised if homeowners in receipt of social welfare are exempt from the charge. [35308/11]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the exemptions envisaged in 2012 to the €100 household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35309/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland commits the Government to the introduction of a property tax for 2012. 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 requirements in the EU/IMF Programme, the Government has decided to introduce a household charge in 2012. The household charge is an interim measure and proposals for a full property tax will be considered by the Government in due course.

It is estimated that there are some 1.6 million residential properties potentially liable to the household charge. As such, if collected in full, the household charge has the potential to raise €160 million annually.

From information provided by the Department of Social Protection, there were 372,827 persons in receipt of the job seekers allowance and the job seekers benefit at 30 October 2011. There are no data available on the number of such persons who are homeowners and it is therefore not possible to provide the figure requested.

The legislation to underpin the household charge will contain the details of the range of exemptions and waivers which will apply. The legislation will be published and brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly.