A Bill to provide a discount on property tax for homeowners living in managed estates in Co Kildare has been published by Fianna Fáil.

Councillor James Lawless said many homeowners are paying "on the double" for many services.

The Fianna Fáil Bill provides a discount on property tax, worth a third of the management fee, up to a maximum of €300 a year.

Councillor Lawless said: "Thousands of people living in apartments or managed estates are paying a fortune in management fees every year.

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"This pays for some of the services that the council would otherwise provide, including keeping the grounds, maintaining the roads and paths, maintaining public lighting and managing drainage.

"The fact that managed estate dwellers are still liable for the full amount of property tax means that they are paying on the double for many services. The property tax is supposed to fund local authorities in maintaining residential areas, as well as providing local services.

"Those paying management fees should get a discount given that they are already paying for the maintenance of public areas around their homes."

(CD/JP)