THE Government has
bowed to pressure and has excluded caravans from the
€200 tax to be levied annually on all holiday homes
and second homes.
The legislation to enact the tax was passed this
week by the Houses of the Oireachtas. Senator
Cecilia Keaveney said the levy would be a "welcome
boost" to local authority coffers.
"This will be a welcome boost for the Donegal County
Council finances when these levies are lifted.
According to figures released, it is thought that
some €4.5 million could be the amount due to the
Council," said Senator Keaveney.
"This money has been long looked for by councillors
and councils and it will be important that revenue
raised will then support local projects." Caravans
and in-situ mobile homes now escape the levy due to
their depreciating value.
"Caravans were excluded from the levy after some
discussion about the fact that they are a
depreciating asset compared to a house and therefore
it was not fair to levy the same fee on both,"
explained Senator Keaveney.
"No one wants to pay more for anything and this will
not be a charge welcomed by all. However, having
spoken to Environment Minister John Gormley last
night he confirmed that he would be interested in
moving the capacity to strike the rate back to the
councils, rather than decide at national level.
Meanwhile, Donegal Deputy Mayor, Cllr Charlie
McConalogue from Gleneely said people living abroad
will have to pay the levy.
“People from abroad who have bought second homes in
Ireland will also have to pay the charge.
“Local authorities have a lot of important work to
do in the areas of water, roads, and tourism but
this work is made much more difficult with the
increasing pressure on funds recently.
"I am hopeful that Donegal, with its high number of
holiday homes, will benefit from this measure and
see some new funds provided to assist with carrying
out of work in local areas,” said Cllr McConalogue. |
