Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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569. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the operating costs of the household charge support centre; the functions of the unit in view of the fact that they do not answer their phones and do not reply to emails; and the action he will take regarding same. [23254/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provided the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis with an owner of a residential property determining liability and paying the Charge.

The Household Charge was operational in respect of 2012 only, with arrears and penalties in respect of a 2012 liability being collected by local authorities, assisted by the Local Government Management Agency on a shared services/agency basis up to and including 30 June 2013. Household Charge operational matters are a matter for the relevant local authority or for the Agency.

Household Charge administration costs, recouped by the Agency from the Local Government Fund, have amounted to €9,478,332 from 2012 to date. A provision of €200,000 has been set aside from the Local Government Fund in 2014 in respect of Household Charge administrative costs. As of 1 July 2013, outstanding Household Charge liabilities were increased to €200 and converted to a Local Property Ta x liability due on the property; t he Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for the collection of Local Property Tax, are now pursuing outstanding liabilities.

I understand that the current compliance campaign in relation to outstanding Household Charge liabilities being managed by the Revenue Commissioners has led to an increase in queries from the public and I would encourage householders with unresolved issues to contact the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that their position is regularised as soon as possible. Contact details are available on or .