SF dispute claims that 70% paid €100 levy

Environment Minister Phil Hogan was accused of “spinning into the new year” over his claim that 70% of eligible homes have paid the household charge.

Final figures for the year show that a total of 1.126m properties registered for the charge — including 22,334 waivers — which saw €113.35m collected in revenue for local authorities sine it was introduced in January.

However, Sinn Féin’s Brian Stanley said the figures include those who are exempt or entitled to waivers, so “there is a certain amount of spin involved”.