Sinn Féin will oppose Wicklow County Council’s proposed increase in the Local Property Tax and will push for the maximum 15% reduction at a special meeting of the Council on Friday, 9 October.
Sinn Féin Councillors Warren O’Toole and John Ward have highlighted that, with families across Wicklow facing increasing financial pressure, councillors should be working to reduce the burden on households rather than adding to it.
Bray Sinn Féin Councillor John Ward said:
“Families across Wicklow are already under enormous financial pressure. The cost of food, heating, mortgages and fuel continues to put household budgets under strain.
“The last thing struggling families need is another increase in the cost of keeping a roof over their heads.
“Sinn Féin has consistently opposed the Local Property Tax because it is an unfair tax on the family home. It is not based on income or ability to pay and places an additional burden on households simply because they own their home.
“On Friday, we will oppose the proposed increase and push for the maximum 15% reduction in the Local Property Tax.
“At a time when households are struggling to make ends meet, the choice should be straightforward. We should be doing everything within our power as councillors to reduce the financial pressure on households, not adding to it.
“It is quite incredible that councillors, including those from parties other than Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, are intent on advocating for these increases.
“The Government has the resources to properly fund local authorities. Wicklow County Council should not have to look to increased charges on local families to make up for inadequate central government funding.
“Central government must provide local authorities with the funding they need to deliver essential services. Local taxpayers should not be expected to carry an ever-increasing share of that burden.”
Arklow Sinn Féin Councillor Warren O’Toole said:
“Friday's meeting gives Wicklow councillors a clear choice.
“We can increase the burden on families, or we can use the powers available to us to reduce it.
“Sinn Féin will be pushing for the full 15% reduction in the Local Property Tax.
“Wicklow families are already facing some of the highest costs for housing, energy and everyday essentials. Increasing the Local Property Tax would make an already difficult situation worse.
“Councillors have an opportunity on Friday to put money back into the pockets of local families rather than taking more from them, and we should pass the maximum 15% reduction.
“The Government also needs to take responsibility for properly funding local authorities. Wicklow needs the resources to provide the services communities rely on without continually looking to households to make up the shortfall.”
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady said:
“Families in Wicklow are being asked to shoulder enough already. At a time when household incomes are being squeezed by the cost of living, increasing the Local Property Tax would be the wrong decision.
“Local authorities provide essential services to our communities, but the answer to funding pressures cannot simply be to keep increasing the amount households are asked to pay.
“Councillors Warren O’Toole and John Ward are right to use the powers available to them to push for the maximum 15% reduction. I fully support their efforts and will continue to press the Government to properly resource Wicklow County Council.”
ENDS