A FIANNA Fáil senator
has hit out at the “sleight of hand” approach used
in the collection of the second home levy.
Senator Cecilia Keaveney yesterday said second
property owners were being penalised for late
payment through no fault of their own.
The Co Donegal senator is now demanding a review of
the system from Environment Minister John Gormley.
"When a person's car tax, television licence, car
insurance or many other annual charges are due,
there is a reminder sent out in advance to warn the
consumer," she said.
She said people should be made aware that a late
payment penalty of €20 a month accrued on
outstanding bills.
"Many people who paid their first payment, correctly
around this time last year, were unaware that the
new year deadline was back in July. In many
instances the notice is demanding €260 when a notice
before the deadline would have saved these
individuals €60.
The senator called for a fairer approach to
collecting the second home levy.
"There seems to be a slight (sic) of hand in this
approach. When people in all sincerity come forward
to pay the money due, there is no reason why the
system should be different to the system for other
annual fees.
"A streamlining of the system and making it user
friendly is not impossible but there needs to be an
awareness of these difficulties and a willingness to
respond. I raised the issue on the floor of the
Seanad to assist in that awareness campaign and to
demand a fairer approach to people who are under
enough financial pressure as it is," added Senator
Keaveney. |
