Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 619: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated amount of uncollected car tax on a yearly basis for each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Motor tax compliance surveys are undertaken on a periodic basis and the information from the last survey in 2001 indicated an evasion level of 4.6%, representing at the time an uncollected tax amount of some €25 million. The information requested is not available on an annual basis.

A number of measures have been introduced by my Department to combat motor tax evasion, and other enforcement initiatives are being developed in conjunction with the Garda. As an indication of the impact of these measures in terms of motor tax compliance, motor tax revenue has increased this year by some 10% compared with last year, without any increase in rates and against a 6% increase in national vehicle fleet. This position is also reinforced through increased levels of payment of motor tax arrears; to date in 2006 arrears represent an increase of almost 11% over the same period in 2005.