Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 419: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the taking charge of an estate (details supplied) in County Kildare by Kildare County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12585/12]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 420: To ask the Minister for Defence if an estate (details supplied) in County Kildare can be considered in relation to the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12586/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.

The Department has, in recent years, had ongoing correspondence and meetings with officials from Kildare County Council on a range of issues including the taking in charge of this estate. In this regard the Department has recently received further correspondence from the Council setting out their requirements in advance of having the estate taken in charge and my officials are examining these at the present time. The Department is eager to progress this issue and will endeavour, in conjunction with the County Council, to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge that applies to residential property. Under the Act an owner of a residential property is liable to the household charge. Under section 2 (2) (b) of the Act, a building vested in a Minister of the Government is not a residential property for the purposes of the Act and is not liable to the household charge.