The Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 has now moved down from the Seanad to the Dáil. The substantial change made in the Seanad, as reported here in eNews in recent days, was the dropping of the charge on mobile homes. The Dáil has now approved a measure to ensure that the €200 charge will not be applied to Granny Flats either.
The lists of Dáil Committee Stage amendments included amendments by the Minister to introduce two further exemptions to the charge. The first has exempted a person who has had to reside elsewhere because of long term mental or physical infirmity. The residential property in their possession but in which they are not residing would have been otherwise subject to the charge.
The second exemption takes a residence, occupied by a family member of the owner which is on the same site as the owner's residence or within two kilometres of the owner's residence, out of the charge. Provided, that is, that the residence in question is occupied rent free. The exemption also applies to legal guardianship arrangements and ward of court arrangements.
The Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann is available here