Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to grant an exemption from the flat-rate household charge to persons who paid a significant amount of stamp duty in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37576/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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.

The household charge is being set at a modest amount of €100 for 2012 and provision will be made for the payment of the charge by instalments. While there will be a small number of exemptions and waivers, it is not proposed to provide an exemption from the charge in respect of those who paid stamp duty in recent years. The legislation to underpin the household charge will contain the precise details of the charge and will be published and brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly.