Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if an extension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who missed the 1 October 2013 deadline to declare their car off the road, but is permanently unable to drive their car due to physical disabilities resulting from a serious accident. [51060/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Motor tax is payable in respect of vehicles used in a public place, and is not payable where the vehicle owner does not intend so to use it. It is open to the owner of a vehicle to declare it will be kept off the road, either during the final month of validity of an existing vehicle licence or off-road declaration, or upon payment of outstanding arrears plus a minimum of three months motor tax.

The new arrangements as provided for in the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013, only allowing for the making of future declarations, are fully in force since 1 October 2013. Exemptions are not provided for in individual cases, given that there was a well-publicised transition period of 3 months from 1 July 2013 to allow vehicle owners to bring their motor tax status up to date by making both a retrospective and prospective off-road declaration, including a specific procedure to allow those who were incapacitated to put their motor tax affairs in order by nominating a friend or relative to attend at a Garda Station on their behalf to have the required form stamped in respect of a past period of non-use. Vehicle owners generally who did not avail of the transition arrangements must now pay arrears in motor tax where these arise.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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136. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if any provisions are in place for a car that is not in use but is not off the road as the owner does not have sufficient space to store a car (details supplied) and can this car remain untaxed as it is not in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51080/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Vehicles are required to be taxed if they are in use in a public place. Motor tax legislation provides that reference to the use of a vehicle includes keeping or leaving a vehicle stationary. The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 did not change the law in this regard and accordingly, making a declaration of non-use in respect of a vehicle kept in a public place does not affect the requirement for such a vehicle to be taxed.