East Coast FM overwhelmed at reaction to household charge letters

Wicklow radio station East Coast FM have received record reaction in relation to the household charge letters which were sent out by Wicklow county council this week.

Presenter Gareth Farrell said on the station this morning he had paid the charge but received two letters this week looking for payment.

Councillor Pat Casey who was invited on the the Morning show to explain the errors said "The process of collecting the charge was never properly thought out and the database which is being used to send the letters out is outdated itself."

Claire Darmody of East Coast FM told Wicklownews.net "The amount of calls, texts and e-mails have been crazy, people are very angry."

Wicklow county council is being asked to explain what process has been implemented, to determine who in the county should receive reminder letters to pay the household charges.

Several householders who have paid the charge, have expressed their anger at receiving two reminder letters on the same day, addressed to different people residing in the house, while in at least one instance, the letter was sent to a person who is deceased.

It’s now emerged that 28,000 letters have been dispatched this week by the council, but there doesn’t appear to have been a screening process put in place to avoid sending reminders to those who have paid the charge.

Postage alone for the reminders has cost more than 14,000 euro.