Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins has hit out at the government over claims they could punish local authorities who did not receive significant number of payments of the €100 household charge before last Saturday’s deadline.
Deputy Higgins said that there would be public outcry if certain areas were punished on that basis.
Government sources said yesterday that the allocation of funds raised through the €100 household charge would be linked to the amount of revenue raised in different local authority areas.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan also suggested over the weekend that he would reward authorities that performed well in collecting outstanding registration payments.
However, Mr Higgins said that certain areas would be left unfairly disadvantaged as a result.
“If they go along these lines they will be encouraging massive social dislocation and further social inequality. It will simply not be permissible. There will be an outcry, an upheaval against that. It will be outrageous,” he said.
“The wealthiest areas in the country will get more resources than they have already, while the poorest will continue to go without. It’s irresponsible
“This would cause a further gap in the massive inequality that already exists. It would be socially destructive.”
