Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a recent proposal from a parish residents' association in Dublin 13 (details supplied) that the household charge be abolished or deferred for 2012 and that the public are fully consulted about any new and fair funding mechanism that is devised for local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/12]

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 the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.

The development of a system of local government funding which is fair, stable and effective and brings greater local responsibility in relation to financial matters is an essential feature in the programme of reform of the local government sector. I have recently established an inter-Departmental expert Group to design an equitable property tax to replace the interim household charge having regard to its terms of reference. A public call for submissions from interested organisations and members of the public was made on 17 February, 2012 and submissions have been requested before 16 March 2012. Further details regarding this public consultation are available from my Department's website www.environ.ie. This Group on Property Tax has been asked to report to me by end April, 2012. I will then bring proposals to Government for decisions on the structure and modalities of the property tax.