€2.4m in uncollected local authority rates

MORE than 70 court summonses have been issued by Ennis Town Council in respect of uncollected rates, it has emerged, with the local authority vowing that “every effort” will be made to recover outstanding monies owed.
At this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, it was revealed that €2,427,374 in rates is temporarily uncollectable by the local authority as of March 23 of this year. This represents more than one-third of the rate demand, at 33.73%.
As of December 31, 2011 the amount of temporary uncollectable rates balance stood at €2,901,374, representing 40.32% of the rate demand for 2011. However, €474,000 has been collected in rates to March 23, 2012.
In 2011, Ennis Town Council had irrecoverable rates, of €502,755 which represented 6.99% of the rate demand for that year. These irrecoverable rates related to rates which were not legally collectable, such as demolished/vacant properties, charitable organisations and properties owned by the HSE.
According to town clerk, Leonard Cleary, the current temporary uncollectable balance is made up of a number of accounts “each with considerable balances owing.”
“Ennis Town Council is making every effort to recover these monies by agreeing payment plans to allow people to make phased payment or by proceeding through the appropriate legal channels including service of court summonses,” he stated.
It was confirmed by town manager, Ger Dollard that over 70 summonses have been issued. He said that the local authority intend to “follow to the end” outstanding debts. He emphasised that the local authority is happy to make arrangements for the payment of money owed.
The meeting was told that a number of companies who owe rates have gone into liquidation over the last number of years.
“Ennis Town Council must await the decision of liquidators to establish the amount of outstanding rates that will be recovered from these companies,” stated Mr Cleary.