Galway Bay FM News Archives
Up to 15,000 city homes to pay €200 second homes levy
Date Published: 21-Mar-2011
BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM
Galway City Council has warned homeowners that the annual €200 ‘second homes’ levy is due after the end of this month.
The ‘liability date’ for the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) tax is March 31 – the payment must then be made before June 30, or penalties of €20 per month apply.
To date, around 11,000 homes in Galway City have been registered – last year, it generated just over €2.4 million, up from €2.15m the previous year.
A spokesperson for the City Council said that because the payment of the levy is on a ‘self-assessment’ basis, there is no definitive figure available for the number of properties in the city that are liable to the charge.“
The NPPR charge is a self-assessment charge and liable properties include rented properties, holiday homes, inheritances and vacant properties, subject to certain exemptions. The charge also applies to people who only own one property but are not living in it as their Principal Private Residence.
“Therefore, it is difficult to quantify the number of properties and/or owners due to a lack of information databases/sources. In addition to the lack of available information, is the added difficulty of a property having multiple owners and conversely, an owner having multiple properties,” the spokesperson said.
While 11,000 have been registered in the city to date, the Sentinel understands there could be up to 15,000 properties which are liable.
Read more in this week’s Connacht Sentinel
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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