Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Has Mr. Doyle taken on board my question regarding the length of the buses? This issue will lead to LocalLink prices increasing. Buses must be wheelchair accessible, which costs €6,000 . The cost is €12,000 for most buses now. The cost is down to the length of the vehicle. It does not have to be used for bringing Yanks around the country and, depending on the length of the bus, the operator will get back the VAT on that cost. Can the Department not communicate with the Department of Finance with a view to offering some incentive in regard to claiming back the VAT? First, we would have a better standard of bus and, second, they will be more accessible for people with disabilities. The only criteria currently in that regard is the length of the bus and if it is an inch one way or the other, the operator is out.