THE CABINET HAS this afternoon given the green light for a combined property and water charge of €100 per household to be introduced in December’s Budget.

RTÉ News reports that the charge is to be specifically levied only for two years, to fulfil the terms of the EU-IMF loan agreement, according to environment minister Phil Hogan.

The levy, which will take in around €160m a year, will not apply to people on mortgage interest supplement, people in social housing, or residents in ‘ghost estates’.

Both the flat-rate property and water taxes are being introduced ahead of the installation of domestic water meters, and the compilation of a nationwide property price database.

The €100 charge had been flagged in the press earlier this week.

Among the other items discussed was the timing of the presidential election, which is to take place on Thursday 27 October.

Poll: Is €100 a reasonable amount for property and water charges?

Additional reporting by Aoife Barry

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