Council tenants can’t bare cost of Home Tax – Ellis

January 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Council tenants can’t bare cost of Home Tax – Ellis

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the government to support his party’s amendment to exclude local authority housing from property liable to pay the Home Tax. He made his comments following reports that tenants could see a rise in council rents as a result.

Deputy Ellis said:

“Sinn Féin are opposed to this unfair tax on family homes but we are particularly concerned by the foolish move to levy the tax on social housing.

“Council tenants are not in any position to pay higher rents. The vast majority are scraping to survive these very hard times. Many have already been cut numerous times.

“This tax is supposed to be about funding local services but in fact it will cost Local Authorities large sums and take up resources determining the value of around 125,000 properties across the state.

“The government must accept this point and amend their bill accordingly. Otherwise the family home tax will be an even greater mess than envisaged.”

ENDS

Filed Under: Ballymun, Finance, Housing

Rent increase with no return: Ellis

December 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Dessie Ellis TD slammed plans to apply the new family home tax to local authority and voluntary housing which could see higher rents for struggling tenants.
Deputy Ellis continued:
“The plan to apply this unfair tax on houses in the social housing system makes no sense and is completely counterproductive.
“Social housing was cut in the budget as were supports which many tenants rely on. It has been a terrible budget for the poorest in our society and now many will face a rent increase with no return.
“Local authorities who were meant to gain from the tax will have to pay around €25 million. This makes no sense and will weaken local authorities and voluntary housing bodies and hurt their tenants.
“This is an unfair tax plan to begin with but it is an outrage that the government have not exempted social housing.
“Sinn Féin proposed a progressive wealth tax which would have avoided this problem. We will continue to fight the home tax for a genuine tax on wealth”

Filed Under: Ballymun, Drumcondra, Economy, Finance, Housing, Local News