Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister can be assured I was tuned in to him. When it comes to the proposed figure of €1,200, there is an important aspect the Minister is not taking into account, and I mean this in a helpful way. In many rural areas a motor car will not do for the family - that family might need a four wheel drive jeep. In those cases, to get any type of reasonable, respectable jeep that would be roadworthy and safe to use and that would comply with the various tests for such a vehicle, there would be no hope of getting anything for €1,200. The price would be far greater than that. Every case is not the same. I urge the Minister, as other Deputies have, to review that figure. It might be fine for urban areas, where a person could buy a car for €600 and it would do perfectly well for a family. In the rural areas I know well, however, it would not do.

We also want people to be able to work their way out of their difficulties. By the nature of what they might have been involved in or hope to stay at to earn money, they might need a jeep, van or similar vehicle that could not be bought for €1,200. I respectfully ask the Minister to take that on board and remember many of those who find themselves in financial difficulties might have been contractors, farmers or involved in other businesses that would need such a jeep. If they are to work their way out of their difficulties, they might need to hold on to the vehicle they have. If it was worth more than €1,200, I would hate to see the wheels being taken out from under them. This is an important issue and a lot people would fall into this category.

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