merrion street

Mr Phil Hogan TD Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today (28 June 2013) thanked the vast majority who have registered their properties and paid the household charge. To date 1,286,802 properties have been registered and this includes 23,626 waivers. Almost €135m has been collected and reallocated to local authorities through the Local Government Fund.

"In the last few years Irish people have had a tough time of it and, in spite of that, almost 1.3 million people have paid the Household Charge. They recognise the importance of compliance with the law of the land and, by paying the charge, they have made their contribution to the provision of essential services in their own areas. I would like to thank them for this."

"We are on the road to economic recovery but it is not an easy road. It has required and will continue to require some hard decisions. This Government is prepared to take the hard decisions that will get us there. The tax base in Ireland has been broadened this year with the introduction of the Local Property Tax and in the long run this will provide local authorities with the ability to raise funding locally and spend it on necessary local services," added the Minister.

Since 1 January 2013 the Household Charge has concluded and has been replaced with the Local Property Tax. The current liability for any household that has not paid the Household Charge is €145. However, any liability that remains un-discharged from 1 July 2013 shall be treated as a charge of €200 to the local property tax payable on that date, and the Revenue Commissioners will be responsible for collecting the outstanding charge through the LPT system.

A number of callers in recent days to the LGMA were under the impression that they would be able to pay the €200 charge in respect of an outstanding Household Charge liability to Revenue from 1st July in instalments, as opposed to paying the €145 liability in one lump sum to the LGMA before the end of this month. Revenue has confirmed however that it will not be accepting payment by instalment and will be seeking lump sum payment of €200 only. With this in mind Minister Hogan would urge anyone yet to pay the Household Charge to do so by the 1^st July not least because they will save themselves some money.

"A concerted effort is needed over the next few years to return our country to prosperity. This will require strong leadership and a sustained commitment to the reform programme that is underway. We are making good progress. Ireland will recover and this Government, with the people’s help, will make sure of it. I would again like to thank everyone who has paid the Household Charge to date. I strongly encourage those who haven’t done so to pay the Household Charge and avoid having to pay unnecessary late payment penalties."