The Social Protection Minister is defending the decision to reduce the number of ghost estates that will be exempt from the property tax.

Just over 5,000 homes will get a waiver from paying the levy. This is compared to 43,000 properties who did not receive the household charge. It means that of the 1,770 unfinished housing developments around the country residents in only 421 will not have to pay the new fee.

The Communications Minister said yesterday that the Department of the Environment went through every unfinished estate house by house to decide who should pay and who should not.

'Significant progress made'

The Department said the new list "reflects the significant progress made by local authorities in reducing the number of problem estates".

Environment Minister Phil Hogan said yesterday that "It is right and proper that households in unfinished developments should be exempt from payment of the Local Property Tax". But he also cautioned "I would urge people not to assume that just because they were eligible for a waiver from the household charge they will be eligible for an exemption from the local property tax".

The Social Protection Minister Joan Burton says homeowners who believe they should be entitled to a deferral of the charge should outline their reasoning on the tax forms.