Household Charge Directly Effects Local Funding

Added: 03-08-2012 11:25:30

Donegal County Council have confirmed that the county’s high volume of non-payment of the Household Charge will directly effect Local Government Funding.

In a Circular from the Department of the Environment, Community & Local
Government, it outlined a clear link between Household Charge payment performance and the level of Local Government funding that will be made available.

Director of Finance with the Council, Mr. Garry Martin, stated “Ultimately the Council does not want to find itself in a position where consideration is required to having to reduce various expenditure headings.

However, it is clear that unless there is a material increase in the overall level of payment in Co. Donegal that this may very well manifest itself in the coming months.

An increase in the payment of the Household Charge in Donegal to an acceptable level will, based upon Department indications, ensure that the level of reduction in the Local Government Fund is minimised.

At present the reduction is a figure in excess of €4m. Clearly such a reduction in our expenditure capacity would have substantially detrimental effects on the services that we
provide.”

Mr Martin further outlined that the issue is being dealt with on an interim basis, and that they will assess how effective their appeals have been later on.

Donegal CoCo are encouraging those who have not yet paid, to do so as soon as possible, through the website www.householdcharge.ie