PEOPLE around the county who want to pay the new household tax in cash in their local council offices are unable to do so because of staffing and security issues.
Tullow councillor Pat O’Toole dubbed it “scandalous” that civic offices such as Tullow and Bagenalstown are unable to accept cash payments for the new charge.
“I abhor the suggestion that Tullow is not an adequate place to make the payment. I suggest that Tullow would be made an area where you can make payments. It’s scandalous. You will downgrade the office by not having the footfall through the door,” added cllr O’Toole.
Homeowners from north and south of the county now face the journey into Carlow town if they wish to pay the €100 charge in cash.
“It’s absolutely outrageous that you can’t pay in Tullow. We should be utilising the buildings we have and making it easier for people to pay,” added cllr William Paton.
Cllr Denis Foley agreed that “every facility should be put in place to help people pay it”.
“If they want to pay it in Bagenalstown, they should be able to do it,” he added, before cllr John Pender reiterated that it is “an absolute disgrace” not to use these civic offices.
Many householders do not use bank accounts or have access to the internet to make the payments and can only pay in cash, the council was told.
“I welcome the fact that you can pay by cash in the council but you cannot pay by instalments in cash. Others can benefit by four instalments. It’s unacceptable that seniors and people looking to pay in cash can’t,” added cllr Walter Lacey.
Cllr Paton called the whole thing “disingenuous” and argued that the local authorities will get “no extra money” from the charge.
Cllr Jennifer Murnane O’Connor added that the charge should be postponed until the end of the year to allow people time to collect the money. “People shouldn’t be penalised. It should be left ’til the end of the year. It’s not good enough. The whole thing is ridiculous,” she added.
County manager Tom Barry told councillors that Carlovians can pay the charge at the council offices on the Athy Road but confirmed that cash cannot be accepted in Tullow or Bagenalstown.
“We would like to be able to take cash in Tullow, but there’s an issue with manpower and safety with handling cash. Between now and March, Tullow can offer guidance and clarification and can accept payment by cheque or postal order but cannot accept cash.”
Mr Barry added that the council is under “extreme pressure between now and March” and he said that it was “very positive” that people can pay in cash in Carlow, through the post or online.
The council agreed to write to the minister and ask for instalments to be introduced for people paying in cash.
Acting head of finance Ronan Fitzgerald added that the council’s website has a link to the household charge site, which is complete with guidelines and includes a list of exemptions, including unfinished estates.