Up to a dozen councils around the country could cut property tax rates next year.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has confirmed the approximate number of areas in comments to the Irish Independent today.

Rules surrounding the property tax say that local authorities which have a surplus of funding in 2015 will be able to pass on a discount of up to 15%.

The paper claims the cuts will apply in Dublin and a number of commuter counties, as well as Cork city and county, Kerry, Clare and Galway city.