€243,000 commitment not delivered on

ASSURANCES that Clare would receive its full funding allocation from central government for last year, if certain targets were met regarding the household charge, have not borne out.
Clare was docked €243,000 last year and, while county councillors were told by Government that the money would be returned if the level of compliance with the household charge went above 75%, it hasn’t been paid, although the level of compliance has reached 83%.

At this week’s meeting of Clare County Council it was revealed that the Banner County has paid more than €4 million since the introduction of the household charge last year.

Prior to Monday’s meeting, Independent Councillor Christy Curtin asked for information on “outstanding arrears due to Clare County Council from the Local Government Fund as per the Household Tax Collection 2012”.

He also sought information on “arrangements for the appropriate rebate to the council from the Property Tax receipts to date in 2013 for much needed services in roads, water, housing etc, throughout the county and, where available, provide relevant figures for the receipts from these taxes in the county.”

A reply given by Niall Barrett, the council’s head of finance confirmed the €243,000 hadn’t been paid.
Regarding the situation for this year, he stated, “In 2013 there is not a direct allocation to local authorities from the Local Property Tax. In relation to 2014, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has indicated that it is intended that, from Local Property Tax receipts collected nationally, 80% of the amount collected for a county will be remitted to the local authority where the tax is raised. The remaining 20% collected nationally will be redistributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of the General Purposes Grants.”

Addressing the meeting, Councillor Curtin said that given the rate of compliance, the €243,000 shortfall should be made up. “In the context of what Minister Hogan said, surely we are entitled to what was deducted from us in 2012.”

He pointed out shortcomings in services provided by the council due to a lack of funds and said the case should be made for the payment of the money.

“It’s time to make the case for the recovery of what is owed to us because of what was achieved in the county.”

County Manager Tom Coughlan said he didn’t want to comment on the matter, but did confirm the figure of 83% compliance referred to by Councillor Curtin.

Speaking to The Clare Champion on Wednesday, Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said Clare hadn’t lost out on funding to the same extent as other counties following its level of compliance with the household charge, however he said there is a case for the €243,000 being paid.

“I’m sure that a case can be made by the county manager on behalf of Clare County Council to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the basis that there has been a higher than average level of payment.”