Sinn Féin spokesperson on environment, community & local government Brian Stanley TD has revealed that only three per cent have paid the Household Charge.

Deputy Stanley called on the government to scrap the charge.

Deputy Stanley said: "In response to a parliamentary question I put to Minister Hogan, it has been revealed that only three per cent of those liable for the charge have paid.


"Out of a total of 1.8 million households only 63,011 have registered while 51,401 of the 1.6 million households liable have paid the charge.

"The government's plan was that funds generated from the household tax were to be channelled in to paying for local services. At this rate, councils across the state will be left in dire straits when it comes to funding their services.

"The government’s recent budget slashed the funding to local authorities by a massive 84%:a cut of €160 million. The household charge was imposed in an attempt to plug the gap. My party said at the time that it was unfair and unworkable and that many local authorities will be bankrupt because of this severe cut."

Deputy Stanley said the government "must scrap" the tax and restore the local government fund.

(CD/GK)