Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the situation regarding the obligation on householders to pay the household charge without being invoiced; if he will clarify that failure to register does not exempt a person from being obliged to pay; if he will explain the legal basis for the registration and payment system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6084/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge.

Under section 5(1) of the Act, the owner of a residential property, who on a liability date, is liable to pay a household charge to a relevant local authority, or who is entitled to a waiver from payment of a household charge under section 4(4), must make and provide to the relevant local authority a declaration stating that he or she is so liable or so entitled, as the case may be. Under section 5(2) of the Act, the declaration must, in the case of a person who is liable to pay a household charge, be accompanied by payment of the household charge in respect of the property concerned.

The Act places the onus on an owner of a residential property to assess his or her liability for the household charge in the first instance and there is no obligation on local authorities to issue notifications or invoices regarding the household charge under the Act.

Significant efforts are being made to ensure that property owners are aware of the household charge and the liability and payment dates. The Local Government Management Agency, which is administering the household charge on a shared services/agency basis on behalf of county and city councils, and local authorities have commenced a national information campaign to advise people of the household charge and their responsibilities in relation to payment of the charge. A similar and successful advertising and information campaign was undertaken in the context of the €200 charge on non-principal private residences on its introduction in 2009 with further advertising taking place each year since. It is also intended that a household charge information leaflet will be issued shortly to residential properties in the State. I am confident that those liable to the household charge will be aware of their obligation to discharge their liability for the charge by 31 March 2012 and thereby avoid any late payment fees or late payment interest.