Just 37 households seek cut in property tax

It caused uproar when first introduced, but it seems householders aren’t as angry about the Local Property Tax (LPT) as they once were.

Ireland’s largest county has nearly 150,00 households, yet just 37 householders and one organisation have sent submissions to the local authority to have the LPT reduced.

This comes despite Cork County Council placing an advertisement in the Irish Examiner asking for submissions, and a number of politicians urging householders to make their views known before the council meets next month to discuss the possibility of cutting it by 15%.

Householders whose property is valued at €100,000 and under have to pay €90 in tax per annum. A house valued between €350,000 and €400,000 has an annual tax rate of €675, while owners whose properties are worth between €950,000 and €1m pay €1,755.

The proposal to officially cut the LPT rate by 15% was carried at last June’s local authority meeting when it was proposed by Sinn Féin. Subsequently, its party leader on the council, Cllr Des O’Grady, along with a number of his councillors, urged the public to back the reduction by making submissions.

Sinn Féin whip Cllr Donnchadh O’Laoghaire said he was “very disappointed” by the response. However, he said that come next month’s meeting his party will continue to push for a 15% reduction in the tax.

Independents spokesman, Cllr John Paul O’Shea, said 95% of householders in the county had paid the LPT and people may now have become accustomed to it.