Household charge may pass €100, says Hogan

THE Government cannot guarantee its controversial €100 across-the-board annual household charge will not rise further — less than 24 hours after revealing the new short-term tax.

Fine Gael Environment Minister Phil Hogan said the charge — which was only made public on Tuesday — could increase before it is replaced by a full property tax based on site valuations in 2014 if the country’s financial survival requires it.

The charge will be imposed on 1.6 million people when it comes into effect on January 1, 2012.