Sir, – The Minister for Finance began a review of the Local Property Tax (LPT) earlier this year to look at the impact on LPT liabilities in the context of property price developments in advance of the revaluation date on November 1st, 2019.
The purpose of the review group was to inform the Minister in relation to any actions he may recommend to Government concerning the overall yield from LPT and its contribution to total tax revenue.
The review was conducted by an interdepartmental working group chaired by the Department of Finance which established a formal consultation process, and which is now complete.
Clearly the LPT needs to be reformed, with more flexible options and opt-outs for those with very low household incomes, as the current local property tax is unfair in that it takes no account of people’s income or ability to pay.
I understand that the review group is due to report to the Minister for Finance with recommendations based on its analysis and feedback from its consultation process.
I believe it is important that the Government give some indication of its intention to reform LPT, and any deal for an extension of the confidence and supply arrangement between Fianna Fáil and the Government should include a commitment to reform of this tax. – Yours, etc,
Senator VICTOR BOYHAN,
Leinster House,
Kildare Street,
Dublin 2.