Dublin Fine Gael councillors claim decision on Property Tax is ‘not being honoured’

Following a government decision, 100% of Property Tax that is collected locally is to be retained locally within the area where it is collected in 2023.

Previously, Dublin City Council only retained 80% of the revenue, with 20% of it being spent in other local authorities across the country.

A direction given to Dublin City Council by Minister Daragh O’Brien, however, has increased the amount of capital projects that must be funded by Property Tax revenue by 83% compared to the last 5 years.

These are projects that were previously funded by central government grants.

Fine Gael Group leader on Dublin City Council, James Geoghegan, says that the direction by the Minister makes ‘a total sham’ of the government decision.

“This is a sleight of hand of the worst sort by the Minister and it needs to change if this government decision is going to be honoured,” Cllr Geoghegan said.

“Every year between 2018 and 2022, the amount of Local Property Tax revenue which Dublin City Council were directed to use for its own capital projects was around €30 million.

“In 2023, the Minister has directed, without explanation a massive 83% increase, to €54 million, the amount which must be spent on existing projects using Dublin Property Tax revenue.

“This extra money which must be used for these projects, is equivalent to the property tax revenues which Dublin City was forced to give back to the central government exchequer in previous years.

“What the government promised to give back to our capital city with their left hand, the Minister has taken with his right.”

Fine Gael councillors say they have submitted an emergency motion for tonight’s Dublin City Council meeting calling for a review of this Ministerial direction, and for it be overturned.