Brady urges people to have their say in setting the Property Tax rate in Wicklow

Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady is urging local people to contact Wicklow County Council to request that the Council votes to decrease the Local Property Tax by the 15% amount allowed for in legislation.

Teachta Brady said that there is a window of opportunity between now and the end of August for local people to write in to the council requesting the reduction:

“The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Friday 26th August. The council will then meet in September and take a decision on the LPT rate. In the past, Sinn Fein has been to the forefront in securing reductions to Local Property Tax rates across the Country but last year our efforts were thwarted when Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the majority of independent councillors on Wicklow County Council actually voted to increase the charge. We will be lobbying hard to convince fellow councillors in other parties and independents to support us this time out, however if the public join us by writing in to the council calling for a decrease, it will be much harder for those parties vote down our proposal.”

Teachta Brady said that homeowners have an opportunity to impact on a decision that will affect their pockets:

“A 15% reduction in the LPT could save some families as much as 100 euro depending on the value of their homes. At the very least, all home owners stand to benefit even a modest amount should the reduction be approved. This is money that could be spent in the local community on services, or spent in local businesses; many of whom are still struggling to survive. You can contact the council and have you voice heard by writing directly to - LPT Consultation, c/o Finance Department, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Town or lptconsult@wicklowcoco.ie”.

The Wicklow/East Carlow TD concluded by saying “Sinn Féin is commitment to abolishing the Local Property Tax (LPT), it’s an unfair tax, not only is it unfair, it is also not working. Local authorities such as Wicklow County Council are struggling to provide basic services, leaving many people wondering where exactly their hard earned money is actually going”.