Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make provision to enable householders who are liable but have not paid their household charge to date to make their payment by instalment where they need to so to meet their statutory obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53806/12]

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. The collection of the Household Charge is under the care and management of local authorities. I urge any liable person who is having difficulty making payment of the Charge to contact their local authority.