An Inishowen councillor said he is delighted cash coined in from people who have holiday homes in Donegal will be spent in the county.
Deputy Mayor of Donegal, Charlie McConologue, said this now means the county will benefit ‘significantly’ from the introduction of the charge. It is estimated that it will bring in more than 4m euro a year for the Council.
He told the Journal: “Ch
arges applying to holiday homes and second homes will be collected and retained by the local authority in the county or city in which the homes are located despite recent claims by some to the contrary. The relevant legislation states clearly that the charges will be collected and retained by each relevant local authority.
“The money will act as an important new revenue stream for each local authority to support local services. This measure and the Bill that provides for it, the Local Government Charges Bill 2009, represent the first important revenue stream for local authorities since the abolition of domestic rates over 30 years ago.”
He said the service will not apply in certain circumstances, for example when houses have been recently constructed but remain unsold or if a second home is being used by someone going through a separation. But people living abroad who have bought second homes in Ireland will have to cough up for the charge.
Cllr McConologue said: “Local authorities have a lot of important work to do in the areas of water, roads and tourism but this work is made much more difficult with the increasing pressure on funds recently.
“I am hopeful that Donegal with its high number of holiday homes will benefit from this measure and see some new funds provided to assist with carrying out of work in local areas.
