Catholic Church does not have to pay household charges

The Catholic Church will not have to pay a cent in household charges despite it being one of the biggest property owners in the State.

While between 1.6 and 1.8 million homeowners were liable for the €100 charge – the deadline for which passed on March 31^st – the Irish Mail on Sunday revealed at the weekend that the church was not expected to pay by the State.

With up to 10,000 properties on its books nationwide, the church has escaped a huge bill. It has been deemed exempt from all property taxes because it is a charity.

As well as churches all parochial houses and schools are also exempt.

Just under 915,000 homeowners had paid the household charge as of last Friday evening.