Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine the amount people are paying for taxing cars quarterly and annually (details supplied). [43005/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I have no plans to change the basis for the charging of motor tax for either three month discs or six month discs, both of which are set at a higher rate than the equivalent proportion of the annual fee to take account of the extra workload for the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and motor tax offices, and the resultant higher administrative and printing costs. In addition, reminders are issued on each renewal.

The annual income from the increased charges for three and six month discs in 2012 was over €50m. Were changes to be introduced to charge for these discs on a pro-rata basis, the loss in income would have to be compensated for elsewhere in the motor tax system, or through the taxation system generally.

In relation to the question of making the service available through the post office network, my Department has asked the local government sector’s Programme Management Office, which is developing shared services initiatives in the sector in the context of public service reform, to include an assessment of the implications of a similar approach in the provision of motor tax services. The business case to be developed in that regard will examine service delivery options.