East Clare Councillor Defends Local Property Tax Following Claims It Punishes Struggling Families

Clare FM

A long-serving East Clare councillor is dismissing calls for the Local Property Tax to be scrapped - claiming it's essential to the provision of vital services. The public are being asked to have their say on the controversial tax ahead of a meeting of the county's elected representatives next month to decide the rate for the coming year. Clare FM's Seán Lyons reports. ===== The local property tax is an annual levy on residential property in Ireland. Property owners are required to pay it but it also applies to tenants with a long-term lease of more than 20 years as well as those who have a right to live in a property for life, for more than 20 years or a right to live there "to the exclusion of others". Local authorites such as Clare County Council can vary the basic Local Property Tax rate on properties in their area within the range of 15% which is known as the local adjustment factor. Next month, councillors in Clare will meet to consider the rate for the coming year. Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor and General Election candidate Donna McGettigan says the tax should be abolished as she believes it's "unfair" and punishes "struggling" families. [CLIP] The proceeds from the Local Property Tax go towards local services such as parks, libraries, leisure amenities, emergency services, roads maintenance and street lighting. Last year, Local Property Tax returns yielded €10.1 million in Clare. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says while it might be popular to oppose the tax, its proceeds keep the county afloat.