19/09/2012

Councils Urged To Do 'Everything They Can' To Secure Household Charge

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called on all councils to do everything they can to increase the rate of payment of the household charge.

Mr Kenny defended the decision of Clare County Council to ask college grant applicants if they had paid the €100 charge.

The Taoiseach said councils were not entitled to withhold a portion of any grant to cover the €100 charge but that local authorities are entitled to know, as far as it can, who had paid the charge.

"Every council should be active to have the level of payment increased," he said.

It has also been revealed that final-demand letters are to be issued within the next two weeks to some 50,000 landlords and other second-home owners who have failed to pay the charge.

The letters will detail the legal proceedings ensuing if immediate payment is not made. In the event of continued non-payment, it is open to local authorities to pursue the matter through the courts.

(H)


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