merrion street

Environment Minister Phil Hogan today today stated that the Household Charge website adheres to the required data protection and privacy standards:

I would like to reassure users of www.householdcharge.ie that the information they provide is fully secure.

We are one of the last countries in Europe to fund local services through local property-based charges. The household charge is an interim measure and a comprehensive and equitable valuation-based property tax will be introduced as soon as possible.

He noted that the Data Protection Commissioner had indicated some issues in relation to the privacy statement on the website and he assured the public that such issues would be addressed immediately.

The Minister pointed out that no data sharing between relevant data holders will take place in advance of the protocol and the agreement of the relevant modalities with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It is his intention that any access to data will be as limited as is practicably possible.

Minister Hogan welcomed the fact that over €1 million has been collected in the first four days of operation of the Household Charge and that over 10,000 properties were registered.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the 10,000 who have registered their properties and paid the charge at this early stage. The large numbers of people paying the charge is a clear indication of compliance with the legislation and the acceptance that the Household Charge is necessary to fund vital local services in our communities.

the Minister added.  These services include fire and emergency services; maintenance and cleaning of streets; planning and development; public parks; street lighting; libraries; open spaces and leisure amenities and are integral to the quality of life in local communities.

Read the full press release here.

Watch Minister Hogan's doorstep below...