Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as part of its modernisation programme, Revenue has invested heavily in the provision of internet-based services. The Revenue On-Line Service (ROS) has been widely acknowledged as a major success both from a technological and customer service point ofview.

Revenue adds to the range of services available on ROS on an ongoing basis and during 2003 vehicle registration was added to the suite of on-line services. These new on-line facilities have greatly reduced the demand for service at vehicle registration offices. An increasing number of motor dealers now register new vehicles on-line themselves (currently approximately 95% of such registrations nationally are on-line) in preference to using the facilities at vehicle registration offices. In addition, a valuation enquiry facility has been made available on the Revenue website, allowing customers to obtain vehicle registration tax quotations on second hand vehicles on-line.

The Revenue Commissioners reviewed the implications of these changes and, having regard to the reduction in service demand, decided to close a number of smaller vehicle registration offices and consolidate the service in adjacent offices. Opening hours have also been reduced in some other offices.

Vehicle registration facilities ceased in Portlaoise with effect from 28 March 2008. The Kilkenny Revenue District provides a call in service (including VRT service) for taxpayers living in Counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Laois. This service is available Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm. The District also provides a VRT service on Wednesday and Thursday each week from 9:00am to 12:45 in Carlow. In addition the Westmeath/Offaly Revenue District provide a VRT service at their Tullamore office Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.00 pm. VRT services are also available at VROs nationwide, details of which are available on the Revenue website.

New procedures have been introduced which simplify and speed up the registration process for used vehicles. These new procedures eliminate the necessity to physically examine all such vehicles, as had been the case previously. The new arrangements also provide a facility for customers to register vehicles by post without the need to bring their vehicles to a Revenue office. These initiatives have greatly assisted the successful consolidation of vehicle registration services into the larger centres.

Based on service demands, the alternatives available and the need for Revenue to make effective use of resources, it is not proposed to re-introduce vehicle registration services at Portlaoise. A small number of staff were involved in vehicle registration work at Portlaoise. These staff remain in Co. Laois working on alternative Revenue functions.