SDCC councillors approve maximum reduction of 15% in property tax
By Brendan Grehan
COUNCILLORS IN South Dublin County Council voted on Monday to apply the maximum discount of 15 per cent below the national property tax rate for the fourth year in a row.
Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Sinn Féin, Solidarity and People Before Profit all voted for the reduction, with Labour, Social Democrats and mayor of South Dublin County Council Paul Gogarty (Independent) voting for a lesser cut.
The votes were 29 for with nine against.
Councillor Mick Murphy said he believed the LPT to be an “unjust tax”.
He said he would always vote for the maximum reduction. He said that people in his area were already paying paye, prsi, vat and refuse charges.
Councillor William Lavelle said retaining the 15 per cent discount was “fair and efficient”.
Councillor Francis Timmons also voted for the reduction.
Cllr Timmons said: “ I voted for another year for a 15 per cent reduction in Local Property tax in South Dublin County Council.
“In my opinion it is both an unfair and unjust tax that should be abolished. I also note that the Government plans to revaluate the tax after the local elections in 2019 which I believe is underhand and an effort not to effect certain parties votes, people should be aware of this when they go out to vote in any upcoming elections.
“We need to look at proper funding for our council. Many people ask me where their property tax goes as they struggle to get a tree cut or dumping removed etc.
“They question value for money. 20 per cent goes down the country and 80 per cent to SDCC’’.
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