Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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247. To ask the Minister for Finance if persons paying property tax through the post office are subject to a transaction charge. [18892/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Local Property Tax (LPT) can be paid through three different approved payment service providers - An Post TaxPay, Payzone and Omnivend. The appointed service providers have extensive nationwide outlets and can process payment of LPT either in full as a single payment or by phased payments on a weekly or monthly basis as best suits individual needs. The imposition of transaction charges is at he discretion of the individual service providers. I am advised that An Post levies a charge of €1 per transaction; Payzone levies a charge of 75 cent per transaction for payments up to €50, €1 per transaction for payments between €50.01 and €100 and €2 per transaction for payments over €100; and Omnivend charges a fee of 4% per transaction.

In regard to phased payments I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are two other options available. First, with effect from 1 July 2013 payment of LPT can be made by way of deduction at source from employment, occupational pension income, or from certain payments made by the Departments of Social Protection and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This option does not incur any fees or charges and facilitates payment of LPT in even amounts across the year in question.

Second, phased payments can also be made by way of direct debit from the property owner’s current account in a bank or other financial institution, including a credit union. In these cases the direct debit deductions will commence on 15 July 2013 and will be deducted on the 15th day of each month thereafter. Normal direct debit fees charged by financial institutions will apply to these payments.