Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 148: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reasons a cheque was returned in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28492/12]

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

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/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.

Section 7 of the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 imposes late payment fees and late payment interest where the owner of a residential property fails to pay the household charge in accordance with the Act.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. The LGMA has informed me that the household charge payment system does not accept household charge payments made after the 31 March deadline unless accompanied by the appropriate late payment fee and late payment interest. I have asked the LGMA to make modifications to the payment system to allow for the retention of the €100 household charge payment in such circumstances, with appropriate follow up in respect of the collection of late payment penalties where due.