Hogan hint at Revenue role over fee arrears

Phil Hogan has refused to rule out the deduction of the household charge from social welfare payments and said it’s “likely” the Revenue will be involved in the collection of household charge arrears.

Following reports that the Government was considering having property tax taken from welfare benefits, the environment and local government minister was asked yesterday if he would rule out such a move for the household charge.

“You’ll have to wait for the budget to see what way we’re going to deduct it but all I can say is it’s likely that the Revenue will be involved in the collection of the outstanding arrears in 2013,” said Mr Hogan.