The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has outlined the conditions that exempt some farmland properties from the 200 euro charge on non-principal private residences.
Minister John Gormley T.D. was responding to a query from Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who raised the issue after receiving numerous representations from the Irish Farmer’s Association.
Commenting on the background to the levy, Minister of State Killeen said: “The levy was introduced by the Government in 2009 as a mechanism for broadening the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of this charge on non-principal private residences. The charge of 200 euro per dwelling is being levied, collected and retained by local authorities.”
Minister of State Killeen added: “The charge only applies to property used or suitable for use as a dwelling and the Department has issued guidelines to local authorities to help assess what may be deemed habitable. Minister Gormley has informed me that if a former residence is used for farm storage or as an outbuilding and has no sanitation or services, it is unlikely to be considered habitable. However, it is for the owner to assess this liability in the first regard. Where a person is unsure as to whether his or her property is liable, he or she should contact the local authority for advice.”
Minister of State Killeen said he sought a clarification from the Department after receiving numerous representations from the IFA as well as farmers in County Clare.
Minister John Gormley T.D. was responding to a query from Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who raised the issue after receiving numerous representations from the Irish Farmer’s Association.
Commenting on the background to the levy, Minister of State Killeen said: “The levy was introduced by the Government in 2009 as a mechanism for broadening the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of this charge on non-principal private residences. The charge of 200 euro per dwelling is being levied, collected and retained by local authorities.”
Minister of State Killeen added: “The charge only applies to property used or suitable for use as a dwelling and the Department has issued guidelines to local authorities to help assess what may be deemed habitable. Minister Gormley has informed me that if a former residence is used for farm storage or as an outbuilding and has no sanitation or services, it is unlikely to be considered habitable. However, it is for the owner to assess this liability in the first regard. Where a person is unsure as to whether his or her property is liable, he or she should contact the local authority for advice.”
Minister of State Killeen said he sought a clarification from the Department after receiving numerous representations from the IFA as well as farmers in County Clare.
