Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Since 2011 Revenue has provided a service where motor dealers can avail of a pre-registration examination at NCTS centres. The examination provides for a vehicle to be pre-inspected, entered onto the Revenue database and then registered on-line through the Revenue Online Service as sales are made. This pre-examination service is specifically designed to facilitate motor dealers and to provide them with a speedy registration option especially given the surge in vehicle registrations since the beginning of the year, which is reflected in both new and used car sales.

Revenue has to value many of these vehicles on a case by case basis and provide a vehicle specific valuation code to be used when registering the vehicle because of a lack of volume in motorhome registrations - 228 registrations in 2013 and 84 so far in 2014 - and significant variation in vehicle specifications. The codes had a lifespan of 50 days and it was brought to Revenue's attention earlier this year that the time limit was too short and that, as a result, dealers were experiencing delays in registering motorhomes. Following a review, Revenue has extended the period of validity of the codes to 150 days.

Where a motor dealer does not use the pre-examination facility they will have to book an examination slot at an NCTS centre. The surge in vehicle registrations this year means that there are also spikes in demand at NCTS Centres and this will not always suit a motor dealer. The pre-examination system provided by the Revenue is designed so that dealers do not have this inconvenience. The availability of the pre-registration service and the recent changes to the period of validity of the valuation codes should ensure that registrations can be completed without delay. I am informed by the Revenue that any dealer with questions about valuation codes for motorhomes and their online registration should contact the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Central Vehicle Office, Rosslare Harbour, Rosslare, County Wexford.

The Deputies' concerns are related to specific cases in their respective constituencies. I am informed that the extension to the period of validity to 150 days should deal with the matter in one of the Deputy's constituency - direct contact was made by Revenue with this dealer. The issues arising in the other Deputy's constituency may be related to the dealer not availing of the pre-examination service in the first instance. However, the Revenue can be contacted directly by the dealers on these issues.

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