Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Finance if tax relief will be extended to cover the cost of park and ride car parking expenses used to facilitate people switching from their private car to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30488/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to allow tax concessions for persons that can verify annually the use of park and ride facilities in relation to their employment in view of their efforts to improve the carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30498/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.

As the Deputies know, the policy objective underlying the existing tax exemption for employees, in respect of a monthly / annual bus or train pass provided by their employers, is to encourage taxpayers to use public transport when travelling to and from work and, thus, contribute to the easing of traffic congestion and to the improvement of the environment.

Regarding the proposition that the scheme should be expanded to include the cost of parking facilities at train stations, the extension of the scheme in this manner would involve additional loss of tax revenue and it is not clear that it would contribute significantly to a reduction in traffic congestion.