Funds from second home tax should be used to keep threatened pools open

4 May 2010

by Cllr Joe Costello

The tax take from Non-Principal Private Residences is nearly double what the Department of the Environment and Department of Finance estimated when it was introduced last year

The figures contained in today's Irish Times demonstrate the true extent of the construction bubble in recent years.
The Department of the Environment had estimated that there were 200,000 liable properties but the tax has been paid on 335,550 second homes already and there is still another month to go before the late charges apply.
In the first instance it is shocking that the Department of the Environment had such a hopelessly incorrect estimate of the number of people in Ireland that had acquired second homes. Without such statistical information it was impossible for the Government to manage the property bubble. Obviously, no effort had been made to compile the necessary statistics. It was a case of let it rip come what may.
Secondly, considering that €12,266,300 has already accrued to Dublin City Council with more to come it should be now possible to reverse the decision to close Sean McDermott Street, Coolock and Crumlin swimming pools from August 2010.
It would be a severe blow to local communities, schools and clubs if the pools were to close and deprive the people of one of the few facilities in their areas.
There is a huge irony in the fact that the Government is spending billions in bailing out private banks in Ireland and in bailing out the economy of Greece while the local authority in Dublin has not got sufficient funds to keep three swimming pools in working class areas open!
This situation is too bizarre to contemplate.