Following negotiation by the clerical and executive grade branches in Revenue, the entirety of the Local Property Tax (LPT) phone service has been brought in-house, effective from 1st July.

Previously the service had been outsourced. To support the move, additional staff are being recruited and the LPT phone service is also being enhanced with new IT capabilities. This will allow Revenue phone agents to process payments over the phone from callers who wish to pay their LPT directly, which was previously a key reason the service had been outsourced.  

Union official Donna Mooney said: “It’s a big win for the union to have this service brought back in-house. Public services should be provided by public servants.” 

She continued: “Up to 70 temporary clerical officers (TCOs) will be hired for this, and they will have proper training and understanding of the LPT system. This will improve the service members of the public benefit from when they contact Revenue.”  

This will be a busy year for staff in the LPT branch as Government have confirmed that 2025 is to be a year in which property owners will be required to revalue their properties for local property tax purposes.  

The revaluation date is 1st November. Plans are currently in motion that will see staff from elsewhere in the division and from some other divisions being temporarily reassigned to support the LPT branch.  

In the weeks around the revaluation date, management have stated that it may be necessary to restrict annual leave for staff working in the LPT branch, between October and December.  

Revenue partnership official for clerical officers Noreen O’Flynn advised members to contact their local reps if they have any concerns about this. She said: “The workload at this time is very high, which is why restrictions on leave are sometimes put in place, but it’s really important to make sure conditions like flexi leave are protected. If you have any concerns at all, make sure to raise them now with your local rep.”  

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