Report: Govt to use utility bills to track household charge payments

The Government is reportedly planning to use utility bills to track down people who do not pay the €100 household charge.

Up to 1.4 million households have not registered to pay the charge, which is due at the end of the month.

Just 12 % of homes have signed up to pay the charge so far, netting the Government €20m instead of an expected €160m.

The Sunday Times reports that the move follows discussions with the Data Protection Commissioner.

Personal information held by the ESB, the Revenue, the Department of Social Protection and local authorities will be used to identify those who havent registered to pay by the deadline of March 31.