Scout, girl guide dens and pyrite homes exempt from property tax

on 13/02/2013 00:00:00

There will also be waivers for thousands of homeowners affected by pyrite, as already signalled by the Government.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said in December that homes affected from pyrite heave would get a waiver, according to the damage done to a property.

Most pyrite-affected houses have no market value and will have the lowest property tax band, of between zero and €100,000. This would have resulted in annual charges of €90. Instead, thousands of owners will now be exempt.

Phil Hogan, the environment minister, originally admitted to lobbying Mr Noonan for the pyrite exemption.

The amendments to the property tax legislation will be published along with the Finance Bill, which was discussed by the Cabinet yesterday. The Finance Bill gives effect to measures introduced by Mr Noonan in December's budget.

These include incentives to attract foreign CEOs here and initiatives to help small businesses. The Finance Bill - which will be debated and voted on by TDs next week - also provides for tax relief and exemptions for the aviation and film sectors.

The property tax amendment bill will include exemptions for houses used "as weekend activity lodges for certain organisations", said a department source.