LOCAL authorities around the country may be forced to switch off street lights because of budget shortfalls linked to the non-payment of the household charge.
With just 61% of those liable for the controversial €100 payment having paid to date, the government has slashed funding to councils.
That has put public services such as libraries, parks, galleries and even street lighting under pressure with Local Government Management Agency boss Paul McSweeney admitting that all areas could be impacted.
He said: “Parks will be closed, mobile libraries won’t be going out and we may have to start switching off street lights except for at junctions.”
Earlier this week the Campaign against Household Tax (CAHT) accused the government and the LGMA of trying to “frighten and bully people into paying.”
