Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 64:

In page 23, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:"14.The Minister shall, within 3 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the possibility of extending the TaxSaver Commuter Ticket Scheme to include parking costs associated with public transport.".

This amendment relates to the taxsaver commuter ticket scheme, which is quite a successful tax incentive scheme to encourage commuters to use public transport and which gives a benefit to them as a result. Currently, individuals can obtain tax relief for buying tickets for the use of certain modes of public transport.

In practice, individuals can also buy annual parking tickets by train and bus stations. They drive to the train or bus station and park their car, and can pay an annual charge in respect of that service. The cost of such parking is not included currently in the taxsaver commuter ticket scheme. What I am seeking here is a report to look at the possibility of extending the scheme to including parking costs associated with public transport strictly on the basis that the parking service is directly linked to the individual availing of the public transport service. In our view, it would potentially incentivise park and ride and the use of public transport.

This is an idea brought forward to me by one of our colleagues, Deputy James Lawless, in Kildare North, which is very much a commuter constituency. He strongly believes that this would be of benefit.