Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Finance the annual cost of the VRT remittance in respect of hybrid electric vehicles on an annual basis from the date the scheme started; the number of cars that received the remittance for each of the years for which figures are available; the VRT tax take for each of the years; the number of cars registered and paid VRT in each year; the percentage of car registrations registered for remittance under this scheme; the projected cost of the scheme in 2007; the estimated number of vehicles to register in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43409/06]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Finance the annual cost of the VRT remittance in respect of flexible fuel vehicles on an annual basis from the date the scheme started; the number of cars that received the remittance for each of the years for which figures are available; the VRT tax take for each of the years; the number of cars registered and paid VRT in each year; the percentage of car registrations registered for remittance under this scheme; the projected cost of the scheme in 2007; the estimated number of vehicles to register in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43410/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

As the Deputy is aware the 50% VRT relief in respect of electric vehicles was introduced in 2001 and the relief was extended to flexible fuel vehicles in 2006. It is difficult to predict sales of hybrid electrical vehicles and flexible fuel vehicles for 2007. The popularity of hybrid electrical vehicles should continue to grow while the supply of flexible fuel vehicles will be limited in the short term as the technology involved is still in its infancy.

The following Table sets out data regarding the annual cost of the VRT remittance and the number of vehicles qualifying for the relief in respect of hybrid electric and flexible fuel vehicles on an annual basis since the introduction of the schemes. It also contains data relating to the total VRT yield and total number of cars registered in each of the years in question.