COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING

Monday, December 17, 2012

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor J. Hannon

Given that the Draft Budget was drawn up in advance of the Govt Budget, and that the latter stipulates that the property tax will apply to all Council owned housing stock, the likely impact of same will be in the region of €1m for 2013. Can the Manager clarify if this will be passed on to tenants through increased rents or, alternatively, how will its impact be provided for in this Draft Budget?

REPLY:

At present there is no actual legislation to provide local authorities with the required information to make budgetary decisions.

The Council, in conjunction with other local authorities, will consult with the Members and with Department of Environment, Community and Local Government about any changes which will affect South Dublin County Council as soon as the property tax legislation becomes available.  Until the legislation becomes available it is not possible to assess with accuracy the financial impact, if any, of the property tax on South Dublin County Council.

The Revenue Commissioners have provided information about the proposed new property tax in advance of the associated legislation but attached a disclaimer on the cover and within the document noting that that “the information which they have provided in respect of the proposed property tax is based on details announced in the Budget on 5th December 2012 and is subject to enactment of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012”. 

It is therefore premature to account for the payment or otherwise of a property tax on social housing in the 2013 budget.