Fingal County Council has agreed to maintain the 15% cut property tax for local households.
Fianna Fáil secured agreement on the cut from all Councillors with the exception of Labour, the Green Party and some independents who were against the move.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin and local Senator Darragh O’Brien said, “This will provide at least some relief to local families who are struggling to manage the litany of extra bills and taxes imposed over the past two years.
“It is extremely disappointing that the Labour Party in Fingal refused to back the 15% cut. It’s indicative of their lack of understanding of the impact of this tax on local households.
“I have said all along that this is an anti-Dublin tax as it is based solely on value. It fails to take into consideration the rising house prices in Dublin or people’s ability to pay. According to the latest CSO figures, house prices in Dublin have risen by 40% in the past two years since the last valuation date for property tax. Apartment prices have risen by 50%. It means that many homeowners in the Fingal area face moving valuation bands. There is still the very real prospect of property taxes going up significantly as a result of the Government’s decision for a revaluation in 2017. The effect of moving up a band amounts to an extra €90 per year. It means homeowners could see their home rise by three or four valuation bands adding up to €360 to their bill.
“In April of this year Fianna Fáil published a detailed review of the Local Property Tax. In that review we spelled out the problems with the Government’s model and spelled out an immediate and radical overhaul. Under our proposals the existing property tax bands should continue to apply until at least 2020.
“I have also published proposals to ensure that those living in managed estates who already pay high management fees receive a reduction in property tax. This tax credit would amount to up to 20% of an apartment owners LPT liability, up to a maximum of €300 in cases where the owner has paid their management fee in full.
“It is clear that households in North County Dublin are heavily penalised by this form of tax. The reduction of 15% will bring some relief but the council’s hands are tied beyond this. I am again calling on the Government to support our proposals at a national level to help ease the burden of property tax on local households.”