Concerns have been raised that the rising property prices in south Dublin will lead to homeowners being hit disproportionately with the Local Property Tax (LPT).

Fine Gael has called for property tax to be a priority for discussion at this week's Think In.

Chair of the Budgetary Oversight Committee, Fine Gael Deputy Josepha Madigan, said he voted to retain the 15% reduction for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown when he was a Councillor and raised the issue in his very first speech in Dáil Éireann in April 2016.

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He said: "I will ensure property tax is a priority for discussion at the Fine Gael Think In later this week.

"I raised this concern at last year's Think In and this year I will again work hard with my Ministerial colleagues- as well as the wider parliamentary party- to come up with solutions to the issue.

"I will make it clear to my colleagues that this must be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Ideally I would like to have a solution in place before the Budget, but if this is not possible then certainly shortly thereafter.

"While Local Property Tax rates are currently frozen at 2013 property values, a revaluation is due in 2019. Property values have risen considerably since 2013 and continue to do so. Unless changes are made to how Local Property Tax rates are calculated, property owners could be in for a significant increase in 2019."

(CD/LM)