Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has publicly stated that he will ensure that 700,000 persons receive letters from the local authorities of the country seeking to collect the €100 household charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19634/12]

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 household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.

Under Section 12 of the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect household charges and late payment penalties due to it and all household charges and late payment penalties imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned.

As such, it would be a matter for each county and city council to identify and to decide to make contact with those households who may have an outstanding liability to the household charge reminding them to discharge their liability and avoid the application of further late penalties.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will explain proposals regarding the property tax of making an exemption for persons in larger homes on low incomes who may be typically pensioners; if he will give details of the proposals for a deferral option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19639/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will explain the way a possible exemption for homeowners who paid high levels of stamp duty would be made exempt from any future property tax being levied upon them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19640/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reverse his stated intention of introducing a large property tax next year and to assure the public that they will not be asked for anymore than the present charge of €100 during 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19641/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together.

I have established an Inter-Departmental Group on Property Tax to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. The Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me shortly. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the full property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the structure and modalities of the full property tax.