Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1525. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money the Department spent in 2009 announcing the introduction of the non-principal private residence charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33752/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge of €200 per annum, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence.

My Department undertook an initial media campaign when the NPPR charge was first introduced in 2009 at a cost of €44,400. Nationwide advertising has also taken place in each year since the introduction of the charge under the auspices of the local authorities to ensure general awareness of the charge and the liability dates. In addition, local authorities have undertaken their own advertising campaigns locally.

The NPPR Project Board, in conjunction with individual local authorities, undertook a media campaign this year aimed at reminding non-compliant owners that additional late payment penalties applied after 31 August 2014. The extensive radio and print media campaign reminded non-compliant owners of their obligations to come forward to regularise their affairs and to take advantage of this once-off grace period. As this is a matter for the local authorities themselves, information on the costs of such advertising is not available in my Department.