THOUSANDS OF HOMEOWNERS could receive cuts to their Property Tax, the Department of Environment has revealed.

The Department has identified nine councils which can cut the tax while still delivering all essential services.

A statement said that while some would be in a position to make cuts, no council will be worse off in 2016.

Six local authorities have been told that they can cut the tax by 15% next year, they are:

• Dublin City
• South Dublin
• Dun Laoighaire-Rathdown
• Fingal
• Clare
• Wicklow

Cork City, Cork County and Kildare have been told that they can make cuts, 10% in both Cork councils and 7.5% in Kildare.

Galway City and Kerry have been told that any cut would impact other services.

Local authority elected members have been given the power to decide whether or not to increase or decrease rates by up to 15% for 2016 and must inform the Revenue Commissioners of their intentions by 30 September.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly says that as well as providing certainty, the figures also provide top-ups for 19 authorities.

The Government has today provided certainty in relation to top-ups for those local authorities with lower property tax bases. Nineteen local authorities will benefit from top-ups from the equalisation fund.

“These measures are necessary to create a balanced system of funding across local authorities.”

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