KENNY CALLS FOR CLARITY ON HOUSEHOLD CHARGE PAYMENT METHODS

Posted on February 29, 2012 4:45 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin North East Labour TD and and member of the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment Seán Kenny today expressed his deep concerns around the payment method of the household charge.

"My sincere belief is that the majority of homeowners want to pay the household charge but are either confused or unable to pay under the current mechanisms. I believe that it is right and proper to urge homeowners to pay the household charge if they are liable, but that said, I also believe that payments must be facilitated to a much greater extent than is currently the case."

I think it should be acknowledged that there is legitimate confusion on behalf of the public and that road blocks that currently exist for easy payment must be removed and I would make the suggestion that An Post should be engaged with as a matter of urgently, in order to facilitate ease of access and payment methods. An Post could be used to facilitate over the counter payments, postal payments, online and telephone payments and payments in instalments."

I strongly believe that the Post Office Network, with its unique position of trust in our society, is ideally placed to facilitate the payment and registration of the household charge. The role of the Post Office will be a key to the success of the introduction of the household charge.

I would urge the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, to seriously consider this proposal and I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the matter with him in person.