The 2011 Census and an analysis by a Maynooth academic clearly show that more than 1.8 million households must register for the Household Tax and not 1.6 million as the government is spinning.
NUI Maynooth academic, Rob Kitchin, outlined on RTE radio and in an analysis that there are 1,994,845 dwellings in the state. 18,638 are unsold / exempt, as are 143,000 social housing tenants. Waivers apply to 53,000 in listed unfinished estates or receiving mortgage interest supplement. However, these also must register, alongside the other 1,755,685 properties liable for the charge.
“As of yesterday, the LGMA had 832,000 registrations or awaiting processing. More than 1.8 million must register. This means that almost one million still had not registered for the Household Tax, an amazing figure given both the crude and subtle intimidation”, said Gregor Kerr of the CAHWT.
“The media really should carry accurate reporting of the numbers who must register, rather than repeat government efforts to minimise the boycott. There is no more accurate figure of properties than the 2011 Census and no excuse for government misinformation”, said Mr Kerr.
“Even if the figures increase, there is no way a government can impose a tax in the long term with such low support in society. They should stop calling the handling a ‘mistake’ – the charge itself is a mistake and should be scrapped.”
“The next protest by the Campaign will be at Labour Party conference in Galway on April 14th. We brought over 10,000 to Fine Gael’s ard fheis, so now we will focus on Labour who pledged not to bring in these household and water taxes before the election,” said Gregor Kerr.
