Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined introducing a scheme similar to the cycle-to-work scheme for college students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18331/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Cycle to Work Scheme, which I am very supportive of, is a tax incentive scheme administered by the Revenue Commissioners and governed by tax legislation and tax policy which are matters for my colleague the Minister for Finance. In that regard I very much welcomed his announcement of increased thresholds under the existing scheme as part of the July Stimulus 2020. The increases are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government in relation to the scheme.

The Programme for Government commits to “widening the eligibility of the Bike to Work scheme”. To advance this commitment, my department in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development, introduced a pilot initiative last year for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and the most marginalised and disadvantaged, via the Community Services Programme.

Funding of up to €1m per annum (€3m in total) will be provided by my Department over a three-year period and will be made available through the Community Services Programme, which is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Five applicants were approved for support under this pilot initiative.

Bikes will get a second life, and the people building them will provide a vital service in their communities with these pilot projects. This scheme keeps valuable materials in circulation, builds local expertise, and will shorten the turnaround time for those who have come to rely on the bicycle as a convenient way of getting around.

There are currently no plans to extend eligibility for the scheme further.