Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person who has to renew their driving licence now before the introduction of the new driving licence on 19 January 2013 is being charged the new charge of €55 when they will not receive the new licence; the reason a person who is aged over 60 will be charged the full €55 for a ten year licence despite the fact that his licence will expire in less than ten years and they are effectively being charged for a service that they will not receive; if he will consider introducing a reduced rate for the ten year licence for the over 60's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I approved the increase in driver licence fees with effect from 1 January 2013. The changes represent the first increase in these fees since 1989 and will result in the driver licence service being less reliant on the Exchequer in the future. From 1 January, a person will pay €55 for a ten-year licence, €35 for a three year licence and €25 for a one-year licence. 

The fee structure for driver licences has not changed in that a person between the ages of 60 years and 70 years may still apply for a one-year, three-year or ten-year licence. I have maintained the position that a person over 70 years of age will obtain a driver licence without charge. 

Following a Government decision of May 2011, responsibility for the driver licence service will be centralised under the Road Safety Authority as and from 12 January 2013 and, in accordance with EU Directive 2006/126EC, a plastic card form of driver licence will be introduced from 19 January 2013.