FF pushes to retain 15% cut in property tax in Dublin City

Published on: 22 September 2015


The Fianna Fáil members of Dublin City Council will push to retain the 15% reduction in property taxes at a Council meeting later today.

The Fianna Fáil Leader on Dublin City Council Paul McAuliffe has said the move is necessary to provide some relief to struggling homeowners at a time of high mortgage rates, rising family costs, new water charges and cuts to state supports.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Cllr McAuliffe urged all Dublin City Councillors to support the move.

“I am urging Councillors from all sides to retain this 15% reduction. We have said from the outset that this form of property tax, based solely on the market value of a home, heavily penalises Dublin homeowners. Because of the way it has been set up to include a revaluation process, Dublin homeowners face significant tax hikes as property values rise. The revaluation process could see Dublin homeowners paying an extra €270 – €360 in property taxes. It’s a deeply unfair system that sees the owners of much larger properties and of much greater means from outside Dublin paying far less than owners of very modest homes here in Dublin,” said Cllr McAuliffe.

“Backing the retention of this 15% reduction is a small gesture that we, as public servants, can make to help ease the burden on Dublin homeowners who are stretched to their limit with a raft of new charges and increasing costs. It’s the only move that has been left within the power of Councillors and I believe it is our duty to act on behalf of the Dublin homeowners that we represent.

“Any attempt to link this issue to funding for homeless services would be a deeply cynical move. The two are entirely mutually exclusive. Despite Government promises, the property taxes gathered in Dublin are not ring-fenced for spending on services in Dublin. The majority of the money goes into central Government. We are being asked to vote on the property tax rate tonight without any knowledge of the budget that we will receive from central Government for next year. So it is impossible to take funding for other services into consideration when making this decision. All we can do is take the Environment Minister at his word that Dublin City Council will be given whatever it needs for emergency accommodation for the remainder of the year.

“Tonight’s decision on property taxes must be about standing up for hardworking Dublin homeowners who need some relief in household bills. I am also calling on the Finance Minister to use next month’s Budget to end the uncertainty over the property tax revaluation process.”

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