Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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543. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) the new rules for declaring a vehicle off the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25533/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 provides that a declaration of non-use of a motor vehicle must be made in the month of expiry of a tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use of a vehicle. A renewal notice is issued to the owner at the beginning of the month, prompting renewal of motor tax or a further declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made in a motor tax office or online and there is no charge for the making of a declaration.

If an owner fails to make a declaration within the required timeframe, he or she is liable for motor tax and arrears, if applicable, and a declaration of non-use can then be made in the last month of the period covered by the disc, if required.

In instances where the annual rate of motor tax is €119 or less, motor tax is payable on an annual basis only. This includes vintage vehicles, which attract a favourable rate of tax at €26 annually for motor bikes and €56 for all other vehicles. It should be noted that, for the majority of vehicles in the fleet, the quarterly rate of tax that would be the minimum payable if the owner misses the deadline for making a declaration of non-use is in excess of the annual rate that would apply to vintage vehicles.