The government is set to refund Clare County Council the portion of the local government fund it withheld earlier this year, on account of the high household charge compliance rate here.
Minister Phil Hogan held back over 240 thousand euro from the local authority in July, in an effort to boost household charge compliance levels across the country.
He’s now telling Councils that if 65% of their residents pay the charge by mid-November, then this money will be refunded. However, here in Clare 67% of people have already paid the 100 euro fee.
His announcement comes just a day after Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil Clare County Council could not withhold payment of the Higher Education Grant to encourage payment of the household charge.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Daly is relieved that the Council’s budget will now not be affected
