“We talk about the leafy suburbs, but many of the parents here are struggling to pay their bills. I hope that councillors will now move to reduce the tax to relieve pressure on these families.”

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell-O’Connor has, today (Sunday), welcomed the commitment in the Statement of Government Priorities that local authorities will retain 80% of property tax.

“I am very pleased with the confirmation in the Statement of Government Priorities that local authorities will be in a position to keep 80% of the Local Property Tax (LPT) take, with the option to vary the rate of LPT by 15%.

“This will make a huge difference to homeowners, particularly in Dún Laoghaire and South Dublin where property tax rates are higher than they are in other parts of the country.

“Modest three bed, semi-detached houses in South Dublin or Dún Laoghaire Rathdown at present are commanding a property tax of up to €700, while a house twice the size in rural Ireland often costs less. Local Property Tax is a major expense for families and any reduction in this fee is very beneficial.

“In the Fine Gael Local Election Manifesto we committed to reducing the Local Property Tax rate and now the Government delivered on this commitment. Each local authority will have flexibility in fixing their own rate.

“Access to 80% of the revenue collected from LPT will be a great boost to local authorities and will bolster the vital services they provide. Councils will now be able to set their budgets in line with this income and they will be in a position to reduce LPT rates by up to 15%.

“It is essential that local authorities maintain high levels of services to residents and to ratepayers in South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. In line with this however, it is very positive that they will be in a position to vary downwards LPT rates and to provide some relief for local families and businesses.”