LPT delay to cost Wicklow ‘much-needed’ cash boost

A WICKLOW TD has hit out at Government plans to delay the review of the Local Property Tax (LPT), arguing it will disadvantage the county.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore said the decision means ‘Wicklow will continue to be starved of much-needed funding’.

Her comments came following a decision by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to defer the valuation date for LPT to 2021.

The Social Democrats TD said, ‘ the LPT review report recommended a set of changes to the system such as different rate and tax band structures. We could’ve been looking at a much fairer system where house valuations and population increases were incorporated in the new model, yet the Minister for Finance decided to push the date for this reform to next year. Wicklow needs LPT reform this year, not next year.

‘Spending power is varied across different councils in Ireland, with Wicklow faring the third lowest in local spending per capita according to 2018 figures and with some of the lowest numbers of employed staff. Wicklow is also fairly low in the pecking order of the amount of money received from Government Council Grants, the sixth lowest in the country.

‘ This is despite rapidly growing populations as is the experience in Wicklow. Residents in Wicklow are at a serious disadvantage as population increases mean more pressure on services, requiring increased funding to meet those needs.

‘Considering the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on local economies, the need for reform was even more urgent. Wicklow residents deserve better than cans being kicked down the road for political purposes. Ensuring that our communities are adequately funded to serve their needs should be a priority for the current Government, but instead they have kicked the can down the road once again during a pandemic which has reduced Councils’ revenue,’ Deputy Whitmore said.