Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Household Charge Administration

Photo of Pat DeeringPat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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505. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which a person who has paid the household charge and is now in receipt of correspondence from the Revenue Commissioners can prove he or she has paid the charge since the organisation responsible for collecting it no longer is answering the telephone or replying to email and the Revenue Commissioners are claiming they have no information to collect the outstanding liability. [35609/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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 (LGMA) on a shared services/agency basis up to and including 30 June 2013. 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 .

Household Charge operational matters are a matter for the relevant local authority or for the LGMA, 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 in respect of the Household Charge. Effectively, these Certificates continue to be provided by the LGMA on behalf of Local Authorities. Contact details in respect of the Household Charge Support Unit are available on .

The Local Government Management Agency has informed my Department that they are currently dealing with a backlog of phone calls, letters and emails in respect of Household Charge administrative matters. They are continuing to deal with the queries and issues raised with a view to resolving all outstanding matters as soon as possible.

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