Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 81: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether two adjoining residential units can operate as one household in circumstances in which the accommodation needs of a family, that is, parents and dependent children, can only be met by occupying the two units and thus such a family would be liable to payment of one household charge per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14736/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge.

The household charge is on a self assessment basis and interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts.

Section 2 of the Act provides that residential property means a building that is situated in the State and that is occupied, or suitable for occupation, as a separate dwelling, whether or not the occupier shares, or would be entitled to share, in connection therewith, any accommodation, amenity or facility with any other person, and includes a house, maisonette, flat or apartment (including the form of accommodation commonly known as a bedsit). The household charge is payable in respect of each unit of accommodation that is occupied, or suitable for occupation, as a separate dwelling.

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider adding two unfinished housing estates (details supplied) in County Carlow to the list for household charge waiver. [14738/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows: category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist; category two, where a receiver has been appointed; category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.

Other relevant factors for the purposes of the categorisation process include, inter alia : the state of completion of roads, footpaths, public lighting, piped water and sewerage facilities and open spaces or similar amenities within the development; the extent to which the development complies with the terms of applicable planning permission; the extent to which it complies with the provisions of the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007; the provisions of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 as they pertain to dangerous places and dangerous structures within the meaning of the Act; the extent to which facilities within the development have been taken in charge by the local authority concerned; and where there is an agreement regarding the maintenance of such facilities, the extent to which this agreement has been complied with.

This categorisation formed the basis for the list of those unfinished developments eligible for a waiver on the annual household charge. Only households in developments in categories three and four are eligible for the waiver from payment of the household charge. This list of developments in which households are eligible for the waiver in 2012 is set out under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012. A revised list of estates will be prescribed for 2013 after which time the waiver for unfinished housing developments will end. Throughout this period it is anticipated that the numbers of categories 3 and 4 developments will decrease significantly as my Department continues to work with local authorities and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues, including through the Public Safety Initiative.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 83: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his officials have met senior representatives of An Post in respect of the company's handling incremental payments for the household charge; if he intends to introduce a system whereby households will be permitted to pay the charge on an incremental basis by instalment at An Post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14745/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department and I met with the Chief Executive and other senior representatives of An Post yesterday. An Post is assisting in broadening the number of local outlets where the household charge declaration form is available. The declaration form will be available outside the counter in the network of 1,152 local post offices. Persons may complete the declaration and forward it to the central payment bureau at Household Charge, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1.

There is a range of other options available for persons to pay the household charge. An on-line system www.householdcharge.ie is in place in the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to enable homeowners to pay the household charge by credit/debit card. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque, postal order or by credit/debit card by completing the relevant payment details on the declaration form and posting it to Household Charge, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1. Instalment payments were available by direct debit only and persons opting to pay in this way had to register their details before 1 March, 2012.

A bureau is in place in the LGMA to administer the charge on a shared service/agency basis for all local authorities. In addition, all county/city councils have been requested to have arrangements in place for persons to attend their principal offices to pay the household charge up to 31 March, 2012. I am satisfied that there is a comprehensive suite of payment options available to persons to pay the household charge. I have no proposals to provide for instalment payments at post offices.