Just 900 homes in Louth valued above €300,000 for Local Property Tax

Just 900 homes in Co Louth are valued above €300,000 when it comes to assessing the level of Local Property Tax.

In total there are around 47,800 homes in the county registered for the charge, which was introduced in 2013.

However, while the average asking price for a house in the county is now reported to be just under €165,000, the vast majority came in valued under this.

Just under 2% were valued over €300,000 while only around 4,100 homes were valued between €200,000 – €300,000, a sum totaling 8.6%.

The remaining 42,800 homes were all valued at levels up to €200,000.

Yesterday’s Budget put off Property Tax re-evaluations until 2019.

Garrett Weldon to contest General Election for People Before Profit Alliance

Garrett Weldon

Dundalk man Garrett Weldon has declared his intention to stand in next year’s General Election.

The 44-year-old, who now resides in Louth Village, is set to put his name forward as an independent candidate representing the People Before Profit Alliance.

The community work told The Dundalk Leader that he took the decision to stand as he believes change is needed to secure a better future for the country.

He said he was aware of the issues people were facing at this time and vowed to fight to abolish water charges and the property tax. He also said he would be challenging the corporate tax system and banking system if elected.

The father of two has a team of 10 behind him already and has vowed to meet as many people as possible in the build-up to the election. He also said he would only take the industrial wage from his TD’s salary if elected with the remainder – including his expenses – going back into the community.

Louth has the worst record for paying the household charge

Louth has been named as the county with the worst record of paying the household charge.

According to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Sunday Business Post, Revenue has imposed more mandatory deductions per person in the Wee County than in any other.

So far, 1,800 people in Louth – 1.46% of the population – have had their wages or occupational pensions deducted by Revenue to recover the household charge.

In total there are currently 45,000 people having their wages or salaries docked to pay the household charge, which has been replaced by the property tax.

The counties with the next highest non-compliance rates are Leitrim, Meath and Cavan.

Louth County Council vote to cut Property Tax rate by 1.5%

Cllr John McGahon hit out at Sinn Féin for a ‘reckless political move’ in trying to cut the rate by the maximum amount of 15%

Louth County Council yesterday evening voted to reduce the rate of Local Property Tax by 1.5%.

The cut in the tax is the equivalent of taking between €140,000 and €150,000 out of the council budget.

It came about after a two hour meeting in which a number of proposals were defeated. Sinn Féin had sought to cut the property tax rate by the maximum 15%, with proposals for cuts of 7.5% and 2% also being put forward by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael respectively. There was also a motion for no reduction from the Green Party.

All of these were defeated before the 1.5% amendment was passed on the casting vote of chairman Cllr Oliver Tully after 13 votes for and 13 against.

Councillors had been debating a potential cut for some time, including taking part in a workshop on the matter last week.

They had been warned by council officials that any cut in the property tax rate would have to be made up elsewhere.

After the meeting, Fine Gael councillor for Dundalk-Carlingford John McGahon said while he would like to have seen a bigger cut it was not possible.

Indeed, he accused Sinn Féin of a “reckless political move” in trying to force through a full 15% cut in the property tax.

He said: “I had hoped to see a more significant cut in the region of 2-5%. Fine Gael tabled a motion to reduce the property tax by 2%, however this was defeated.

“I took this vote very seriously and I was disappointed to see other councillors did not do the same. Sinn Féin proposed a full reduction of 15%, to my mind this was a financially reckless proposal which would have taken €1.4 million out of the council budget.

“I find it very disheartening that people were prepared to push the council off a financial cliff. It’s simple maths, if you are going to take €1.4 million out of a budget, you have to find the savings to make up the shortfall. Sinn Fein’s reckless approach involved voting for 15% and not considering the financial consequences.

“It is important to note that, out of ten Sinn Fein Councilors, not one of them turned up to the budget workshop meeting where a detailed analysis of the accounts was carried out, line by line, and councillors sought to see where a reduction could be made.

“This budget goes towards providing basic services like street lighting, maintenance of public parks, maintenance of roads, library services, Tidy Towns.

“Had 15% gone through, all of these services would have been drastically slashed and the people of Louth would have suffered. 1.5% may not seem substantial, but its €150,000 euro. It will be a base from which we can work towards reducing the property tax more over the next five years. But let me make myself clear, a 15% cut would have sent the council into financial chaos, I am proud that I voted to stop that happening,” he said.

Councillors to decide on property tax cut today

The offices of Louth County Council

Louth County Councillors must decide today whether or not to reduce the rate of property tax in the county.

Councillors are keen to reduce the rate by the maximum level allowed of 15% but have been warned by council officials that doing so would leave a €1.5m funding gap that would have to be taken from elsewhere.

A workshop was put together last Wednesday on the matter, with councillors having to make a decision today one way or the other.

Councillors to vote on potential property tax cut

The offices of Louth County Council

Louth County Council will this morning vote on whether or not to cut the rate of property tax by 15%.

The motion from Sinn Féin’s Imelda Munster, which will be dealt with at this morning’s monthly meeting, could see the Local Property Tax rate reduced by the maximum amount allowed.

Councillors were warned at the July meeting that a funding gap of €1.4m would arise were the cut to be made, which would have an impact on local services. However, Cllr Munster told LMFM radio that she is confident that the extra funding needed would be found.

IFA call for reduction of property tax in Louth

In a submission to Louth County Council, Louth IFA Chairman Matthew McGreehan has sought a reduction in the property tax to reflect the level of services provided and to ensure that there is no further erosion of competitiveness and loss of income for farm families.

Matthew said in a statement: “The purpose of the property tax is to support the provision of local services, with the majority of the proceeds of the tax accruing to local authorities. While this should provide more autonomy to local authorities to provide appropriate services, there can be no change in the rate of the tax to compensate for a reduction, or lack of funding from other sources.

“IFA believes that the local property tax must reflect the level of local services provided, which are significantly lower in rural Ireland than those provided in urban areas. There is a strong argument, therefore, for a reduction in the property tax to reflect the lower level of services provided in rural areas.”

Matthew added: “In addition, the burden of taxation on farm families has, in common with other sectors, increased significantly in recent years. Marginal rates of tax are at a very high level and lower income farmers have been negatively affected through the introduction of the USC and the reduction in personal tax credits. Increases in the rates of capital taxes and reductions in tax-free thresholds have added to the costs of investment and asset transfer. To encourage investment and enterprise and to support overall economic recovery, there must be a reduction in the overall taxation burden and I am calling on Louth County Council to reduce the property tax next year”.

On Monday, Louth IFA held their County Executive Meeting in Darver Castle, at which Ciarán Kinney from Louth County Council was in attendance. He delivered an informative talk to farmers in which he discussed issues such as farm inspections, burning dates, storage and spreading of slurry and other important issues. There will be no County Executive Meeting in August but the Louth IFA will still be dealing with any issues farmers may have.

Councillors warned of €1.4m funding shortfall if Local Property Tax is cut

The offices of Louth County Council

Louth County Councillors were warned at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the council in County Hall that they will have a funding shortfall of €1.4m to make up if they opt to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15%.

The matter was being considered by councillors following the recent local elections but a vote on the matter was postponed while council management provided costings on what impact such a cut would have.

As well as the €1.4m shortfall, the councillors were also told at yesterday’s meeting that services would be affected if the cut was made.

Joan Martin told those present that even without cutting the LPT, the council was facing a 20% cut in funding from government.

According to LMFM, Ms Martin said the cuts to services would be “unpallatable”  if councillors opted to cut the property tax.

A public consultation process will now begin to ask the public for submissions on the potential impact that any variation in the LPT would have on individuals, businesses and local authority servces.

The Corporate Policy Group will then consider this feedback at a meeting next month as part of a wider discussion on the overall budget strategy before taking their findings back to a full meeting of the council.

Senator Mullen calls for extension of property tax deadline

Rónán Mullen

Senator Rónán Mullen, Independent candidate for Europe in the Midlands-North-West constituency of which Louth is a part of, has called on the Government to extend the deadline of 31st March for people to bring their local property tax affairs up to date.

Commenting on the fact that the Revenue intends to initiate a nationwide ‘compliance’ programme in April for those who have not entered into arrangements for the payment of their 2014 property tax by the end of this month, Senator Mullen called for the government to exercise compassion towards those who, through difficult financial circumstances have failed to make provision for payment of their property tax to date.

Senator Mullen said: “It is a credit to the people of Louth that the latest reported property tax compliance rates for the county are so high, given the difficulties that a lot of families find themselves in this year.  However, for those who have not yet made arrangements to deal with the payment of their property tax, it is important that the Revenue show understanding of their circumstances. Extending the deadline for another three months to 30th June 2014 would demonstrate such understanding.”

While acknowledging that a payment deferral programme exists for some, Senator Mullen said that many of those who are silently struggling because of large mortgage and other debt simply won’t qualify for deferral under the current guidelines.

“Families around Ireland are struggling to meet their basic daily needs and Government must acknowledge and make provision for this,” Senator Mullen concluded.

Those who have questions or queries about their property tax liability or want to find out whether they can qualify for deferral of the tax can telephone the Revenue Local Property Tax helpline on 1890 200 255

Adams and Carthy address Omeath meeting on threats to rural Ireland

Sinn Féin European election candidate Matt Carthy, party president and Louth TD Gerry Adams and local councillors Edel Corrigan and Jim Loughran at the Sinn Féin meeting in Omeath last night

Louth TD and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and EU party candidate Matt Carthy last night addressed a meeting in the Granvue Hotel in Omeath.

The event focused on the crisis in rural areas and the threats posed to rural communities by rural crime and the threat to the post offices. The Narrow Water Bridge and future European funding for the area were also discussed.

Deputy Adams urged those present to support Matt Carthy who is standing for Sinn Féin in the European elections.

“Matt is an enthusiastic and energetic public representative. He will make an excellent MEP representing the needs of this area in Europe.”

The Sinn Féin leader warned that “at a time when rural Ireland is under attack and thousands of citizens, mainly young people, have been forced to emigrate, we need an MEP and a strong team of Sinn Féin local councillors who will defend rural Ireland and prioritise its needs.

“The policies of Fine Gael and Labour; including the property tax, septic tank charges, water charges later this year and other stealth taxes are impoverishing families and hurting rural communities.”

Adams also called on the government to take action to protect rural post offices.

“The recent report from the Irish Postmasters Union warns that the postal network will have declined by 48% by 2017 without a proper government plan. This would be devastating for rural communities and must be opposed.

“Sinn Féin is for equality of access to services, and greater investment in infrastructure and facilities outside of urban centres.”

Speaking on rural crime Mr Adams said: “One of the biggest issues now facing rural communities is crime and the fear that crime generates, especially among vulnerable citizens. Many elderly people in rural Ireland feel that they have been abandoned.

“The closure of Garda stations has put the safety of communities at risk as criminals and anti-social elements receive a boost of confidence in the absence of nearby Garda stations.

“The Irish Farmers’ Association, the Garda Representatives Association, political representatives from across rural Ireland and the vast majority of Gardaí, have rejected Garda station closures as they know the value of community policing.

“County Louth ranks fourth among the 26 counties for crime levels.

“Recently myself and Councillors Edel Corrigan and Jim Loughran met both An Garda Siochaná on the issues of policing, crime levels and cross-border crime. I have also met senior PSNI officers.

“Gardaí have acknowledged that the limited resources under which they have operated for many years, have now been cut further and that this is having a negative impact on policing.

“In recent responses to my parliamentary questions the Minister for Justice revealed that Garda numbers in Louth have fallen from a high in 2010 of 314 Gardaí to a low in 2013 of 286.

“Falling Garda resources will do nothing to reassure the community. What we need to see is a fully-resourced Garda plan for Louth which includes greater Garda visibility and an increase in community-based Gardaí.”

The Louth TD called for greater emphasis on partnership policing between communities and the Garda.

He said: “We need effective partnership between the police and local communities. The Department of Justice and Equality must give proper recognition and resourcing to such groups.

“Sinn Féin will continue to lobby the Minister for Justice on concluding the review of the Joint Policing Committees and will seek to ensure that the recommendations are effective and implemented.

“Sinn Fein will also lobby the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to be more pro-active in conjunction with the IFA in relation to security on the farm. In the north, Sinn Féin Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has made this a priority.

“The issue of crime and anti-social behaviour in this region cannot be separated from the general economic well-being and development of the county.”

Deputy Adams also called for a proper funding package to be put in place by government to deliver the Narrow Water Bridge.

He said: “The failure of the Government to ensure that the Narrow Water Bridge was built is an opportunity missed. It has been a bad blow to County Louth.

“Money from Europe became available through the Special European Union Programmes Body because of an under-spend and Sinn Féin Cllr Jim Loughran asserting a judicial challenge. The money offered was not enough to cover the costs and the project promoters were not in a position to raise the extra capital to cover the shortfall.

“The government needed to provide a relatively small €6 million funding package from the Taoiseach and the Department of Transport.

“When I raised this issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil, Enda Kenny said that he was in support of the project. I am disappointed that the Taoiseach’s actions did not match his words.

“The bridge will be not be built on promises. A proper funding strategy needs to be put in place.

“The Narrow Water Bridge project can still go ahead in the future if the political will exists.”

Finally, Deputy Adams called for the creation by local councils on both sides of the border of a European Union Funding Unit that would service the region of Louth, Armagh and Down.

“This would allow councils to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the European programmes, in particular the 2014-2020 INTERREG budget,” he said.

“This has been done to great effect in Belfast where millions of additional funding has been drawn down as a result.

“If parties are serious about investment, infrastructure, job creation, energy efficiency and tourism, they should back Sinn Fein’s proposal for a more professional approach to drawing down funding from the EU and promoting the County Louth Border region in Brussels.”