Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Government Fund

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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501. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government what the €200,000 allocated from the local government fund to the household charge support unit in 2014 is expended on, given that the advertised phonelines and e-mail contact do not deal with queries. [29163/14]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil 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, including the issuing of certificates of waiver or exemption, refunds due in respect of overpayments made prior to 30 June 2013, and all associated queries. The 2011 Act allows owners of residential property to apply for a Certificate of Discharge or Exemption or Waiver for the Household Charge. Effectively, these Certificates continue to be provided by the Household Charge Bureau on behalf of Local Authorities.

A provision of €200,000 has been set aside from the Local Government Fund in 2014 in respect of Household Charge administrative costs. I am informed by the Local Government Management Agency that the Household Charge Project Board have budgeted for costs including payroll and other administrative overheads such as postage, stationery, ICT and telephone costs.

As of 1 July 2013, outstanding Household Charge liabilities were increased to €200 and converted to a Local Property Tax liability due on the property; the 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 .

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