Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow those on a low income to pay the household charge in smaller instalments by convenient methods, like by budget card/bill pay; if his attention has been drawn to the numbers willing to pay the charge by this method as they are unable to come up with the lump sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45852/12]

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 Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. Instalment payments were available by direct debit only and persons opting to pay in this way had to register their details with the LGMA before 1 March, 2012. This deadline was necessary in order to meet banking requirements for direct debit arrangements. While there is no provision relating to ability to pay included in the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011, the Act does place collection of the charge under the care and management of local authorities and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.