Fianna Fáil supports the Bill, which will provide for a new method of calculating the local property tax liabilities in advance of the new valuation period set to commence in 2026. The proposed changes to local property tax will mean that most homeowners will remain in their present valuation bands, which is to be welcomed. Base local property tax charges will increase a small amount in proportion to property values. A small number of properties will pay a larger amount than before, either as a result of moving valuation band or due to their existing high value. What I am most pleased about in this particular proposal is that the next valuation period will last for a period of five years. This will give certainty to homeowners throughout the country, including in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. The income thresholds for deferral of local property tax will be adjusted to account for inflation, wage growth and increases in State payments since 2021. This decision follows a recommendation made by the 2019 review group on local property tax. The existing thresholds will increase by between 30% and 40%, depending on personal status and whether the threshold is in respect of full or partial deferral. Additionally, a change has been made to the local adjustment factor, which allows local authorities to vary the amount of local property tax collected in their area. I listened to previous speakers, particularly Sinn Féin Members on the Opposition benches. Sinn Féin has opposed property tax every single year since its inception. I note that Sinn Féin is very heavily represented on the Opposition benches this evening because it cares so much about the local property tax-----

Sentiment score: 0.27

I was a councillor on Kilkenny County Council for ten years. Kilkenny County Council increased its property tax by 15%. The benefits that came to every single community in the county were unbelievable. Footpaths were upgraded and additional lighting was put in. There was investment in playgrounds and remedial grants, which went from €34,000 to €200,000. Each council had a discretionary fund which it could allocate to its communities. That 15% allocation increase to local property tax made a difference to the people I represent in every single community in my constituency and in County Kilkenny. It is important that this is noted. While Sinn Féin has opposed every single property tax amendment that was brought forward in Kilkenny County Council and actually proposed to reduce the property tax by 15%, it never once-----

Sentiment score: 0.17

-----came up with a concrete proposal as to how it was going to do this. Not once did Sinn Féin say which playgrounds it would shut down, which roads it was not going to fund, which libraries it was going to close or which community groups that get amenity grants in the constituency were going to lose funding as a result. All we are hearing from Sinn Féin is soundbite after soundbite. I will not sit here and take lectures from Sinn Féin on its economic policy. This Government does not have bags of sterling lying around. As a country, we have to make sure that each local authority has the opportunity, ability and capacity to make sure it is doing right by its county. The councillors in local authorities do a fantastic job, particularly in Kilkenny which I represent. They do what is right for their county and make sure many different projects in the constituency get looked after. I want to make a couple of specific points regarding the property tax, one of which is regarding the revised method for calculating local property tax liabilities, with the upcoming valuation period lasting for five years. I mentioned this, but it is really important that we can give certainty and clarity to every single constituent that the proposed local property tax regime will stay in place for a period of five years. Notwithstanding that, local authorities have the opportunity to increase or decrease their local property tax band. I welcome that there is more scope given to local authorities and that each local authority will continue to have the option to either reduce it by 15%, if that is what the local authority feels is the right thing to do for its residents, or increase it by 25%, which would mean even more funding would be pumped back into the local communities. Each local authority is best placed to decide what would best suit its particular county or municipal district. The widening of all valuation bands by 20% was mentioned. I would like to see the bands potentially increase a bit more to 25% or 30% if possible. The increase by €5 in the band 1 charge to €95 and the increase by €10 in the band 2 charge to €235 per annum are minimal. When we increased the local property tax in Kilkenny by 15% a number of years ago, concerns were raised by some people, but when they saw the benefit of what was being pumped back into the community, it was most welcome. When one can see the difference it makes on the ground, it is huge. The additional revenue gathered from the local property tax in each local authority goes to funding local services, community development through reinvestment in communities, amenity grants, festival grants and infrastructure improvement. Kilkenny was able to get way more roads done as a result of the local property tax. Way more footpaths were upgraded and more additional lighting was done in towns and villages throughout county, in places such as Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Callan. Many local parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities are funded through the local property tax. It makes a huge difference. In addition, local property tax revenue can be used to promote business development and tourism. Kilkenny is the festival capital of Ireland. We are so proud of that. Every single weekend we have a festival of stature and note. Part of that is funded through the local property tax, as are library and cultural services. Schemes such as the painted town scheme help businesses. Local property tax is here to stay, but each local authority has to retain the right to do what is right for its particular county, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Sentiment score: 0.33