Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if those who have paid the household charge are entitled to receipts; from where those receipts are issued; when those who have paid may expect to receive their receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26862/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, 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 or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.

Section 10 of the Act specifically provides that a receipt shall issue on payment of the charge. Receipts are issued by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which administers the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. When the online system is used for payment, a receipt issues automatically. When a payment is made by post, a receipt issues on processing of that payment. I understand from data provided by the LGMA that, as of 30 May 2012, 28,800 postal applications received had yet to be processed. Every effort is being made by the LGMA to clear this postal backlog as soon as possible.