394. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the household charge bureau will not accept direct debits mandates which were received and stamped by local authorities before the deadline of 1 March for payment of the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16371/12]
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan): The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils.
Instalment payment facilities were available by direct debit and persons opting to pay in this way had to register their details with the LGMA before 1 March, 2012. This deadline was necessary in order to meet banking requirements for the establishment of direct debit arrangements.
|