What are we getting for our money?

A GROUP of Northside residents have bombarded the Government with letters demanding to know exactly where their property tax money is going.

Members of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association in Santry targeted Taoiseach Enda Kenny, leaders of all the political parties, every minister in the Cabinet, local TDs, senators and the Dublin city manager.

Austin McCoy, chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association, told Northside People that he personally sent out almost 30 letters.

“There was a lot of toing and froing between the Government departments but eventually everybody replied. In our opinion there were no definitive answers as to what our property tax money will be used for,

? said Mr McCoy.

“We were dismayed by this; we were expecting to be told what additional services we would be getting.

?

There are 540 houses in the Lorcan estate and according to Mr McCoy, they have been hit with a property tax sum of e204 for half a year (2013), meaning next year they will each have to fork out over e400 per household.

“That comes to around e110,000 this year and over e200,000 next year from our estate alone,

? said Mr McCoy.

“I think we’re entitled to know where this money is going.

?

The residents are angered over the introduction of the property tax, coming quickly on the back of the controversial household charge and in advance of the proposed water charges.

“Quite a lot of the residents are surviving on low incomes and mostly the pension,

? said Mr McCoy.

“We are aggrieved over the taxes being imposed and are fearful that even after paying this property tax, it may increase in the near future, thus putting more pressure on our finances.

“We were determined to make our point (by sending the letters) and we would urge residents’ associations across the city to follow suit and keep the pressure fully on the Government and local authorities.

Mr McCoy said that Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath (Ind) has raised the issue in the Dail on behalf of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association.

In his letter Mr McCoy stated:

“Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association would be obliged if you could outline in detail what benefits the Lorcan Estate will derive from the implementation of the Residential Property Tax.

?

Northside People has seen a copy of the responses sent back to Mr McCoy, which include the following:

*Deputy Roisin Shortall (Lab):

“The Local Property Tax is not really a local tax and, despite what some people may claim, very few extra services will be funded from it. The tax will be used to shore up the Government finances both locally and nationally.

?

*Minister for Finance Michael Noonan:

“Revenues from the local property tax will support the provision of services by local authorities. Local authorities provide a range of services. These include road maintenance and cleaning, libraries, fire and emergency services, street lighting, business support services, parks and other recreational and cultural public amenities.

*Deputy Joe Higgins (SP):

“To answer your question succinctly I believe that if there was 100 per cent compliance among residents in your estate and everywhere with this unjust tax, you would not notice any improvement in public services.

?

*Minister for Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton:

“The tax will go to fund public services provided by local authorities. It will cover the usual services – roads, lighting, recreation, drainage etc.

?

Senator David Norris:

“The answer is probably none. This is the point I have been making in Seanad Eireann. My belief is that since we are going to be paying for water in the near future, we are already paying for bin collections which have been privatised and made a b***s of, we are paying for footpaths and roads through enormously increased road tax, there is very little left and in your situation (Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association), you will probably get precisely nothing. I don’t think it’s right and I have said so but unfortunately I don’t have any control over the country’s finances.

?

Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association has been in existence for more than 40 years and has fought major local campaigns in the past including the battle to save Santry Woods and issues surrounding the construction of the Dublin Port Tunnel.