Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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198. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce tax saver schemes for persons (details supplied) who have no access to public transport to travel to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39575/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Travel Pass / Taxsaver scheme, introduced originally in Finance Act 1999, is to encourage greater use of public transport by providing an exemption from BIK (Benefit-In-Kind taxation) for employer-provided  travel passes. It is not intended simply as a  tax relief for travelling to and from work which would seem to be what the Deputy is requesting. I have no plans to introduce such a scheme.

I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the Cycle To Work scheme, which can provide a practical alternative to the use of a car in circumstances where the distances travelled are relatively short.