South Dublin County Councillors voted at the October Council meeting to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15%. This will keep the tax at the same rate in 2023 as in 2022. Councillors spoke about the rising cost of living and how it is impacting people’s lives. They also noted the increase in the number of submissions for the public consultation this year.
People Before Profit Councillor Madeleine Johansson commented: “As councillors there is very little we can do for ordinary people in this cost of living crisis, but keeping the maximum 15% reduction in the Local Property Tax is one thing.
“In a country like Ireland, with a high level of home ownership and an inadequate public housing policy, the Local Property Tax is an unfair tax on working class people. Working class people were encouraged by successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments to buy their own homes and they are being penalised through this tax.
“This year there were 15 submissions for the public consultation, 13 of which were asking councillors to reduce the tax. Usually there is only about 2 or 3 submissions, so this shows that people are really feeling the pinch at the moment.
“The Local Property Tax should be abolished and we should be increasing taxes and rates for the big corporations that are making massive profits at the moment. People Before Profit and Solidarity councillors will be making proposals to increase rates for big businesses in the upcoming council budget for 2023.”
