Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he will implement the car park levy to staff employed by his Department and agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36523/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Finance Bill, which is due to be published in November, will address the implementation of the Government's proposed car parking levy. Suitable arrangements for implementation of the levy will be determined by my Department in that context.

With regard to sustainable travel patterns, my Department actively encourages staff to use means of transport, other than cars, wherever possible. To this end, the Department is a partner in the One Small Step campaign being overseen by the Dublin Transportation Office. A Workplace Travel Plan, which aims to encourage greater use of sustainable transport options in travelling to and from work and in the conduct of official business, has recently been developed in the Department. Through implementation of the Plan, a range of initiatives to encourage use of sustainable travel options amongst Departmental staff will continue to be put in place. A travel survey, conducted in September 2007 as part of the One Small Step campaign, demonstrated that the number of Departmental staff driving to work is remarkably low (18%), especially compared to the GDA regional peak period average of approx 60% (DTO).

Arrangements regarding implementation of the car parking levy for agencies under the aegis of the Department will be an operational matter for the agencies concerned.