Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding principal private residence charges (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28427/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which introduced the non-principal private residence charge, places the onus on individual property owners to assess their liability for the charge in the first instance. There is no obligation on local authorities to issue demands or invoices. The charge is set at €200 per dwelling and is being levied and collected by local authorities. A late payment fee of €20 for each month or part of a month the charge remains outstanding is provided for in section 6 of the Act.

A person who is ordinarily resident abroad and owns a property in the State which is not his or her main residence is liable for the charge in the same manner as a person resident in the State.

National advertising has taken place in each year since the introduction of the charge to ensure general awareness of the charge and the liability dates. Some advertising on the charge was also placed in publications/newsletters circulating in areas in which large Irish populations are residing abroad. In tandem, local authorities have undertaken their own advertising campaigns locally and have separately sent reminders to property owners registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Communications have also been issued to persons who paid the charge in respect of previous years reminding them of their possible liability for the charge.

Significant efforts are being made to ensure that property owners are aware of the charge and the liability dates. However, the charge is based on self assessment principles and it is a matter for persons with a liability to pay the charge by the due date to avoid late payment fees.