Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on discussions held with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the proposed new annual €200 tax for urban-based employees; if he will define an urban area for the purpose of this tax; if he will introduce any exemptions or partial exemptions to this tax on urban workers who may be shift or part time workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39835/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am presuming the Deputy is referring to the parking levy. The specific areas to which the levy will apply will be designated by me by way of Order. This will be done after appropriate consultation has been carried out. I can, however, confirm at this stage that, in accordance with the terms of the legislation, the levy will apply only to areas which are within the administrative areas of the five city councils in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

Where parking spaces are shared by employees, the levy is reduced to €100 where the ratio of the number of employees to the number of parking spaces is two to one or more. Reductions in the levy are also provided for to take account of atypical work patterns, such as part-time or shift working. The levy will not apply to disabled drivers. I would also point out that occasional permission to park, for not more than ten days in a year, is excluded, as is occasional use of a space by a retired person.