Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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340. To ask the Minister for Finance the total number of Ukrainian-registered vehicles that have entered Ireland since February 2022 under temporary protection or refugee status arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63823/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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341. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Ukrainian-registered vehicles that have been formally registered with Irish authorities since February 2022, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63824/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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342. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Ukrainian-registered vehicles that have transitioned from Ukrainian registration plates to Irish registration plates since February 2022; the process and timeline required for such transitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63825/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 341 and 342 together.

Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war in their country and seeking temporary protection are covered by the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC) activated by Council Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022. Under the terms of that Directive, Ukrainian nationals are eligible for temporary protection, initially for one year and on a renewable basis. In June 2024, the European Council extended the Temporary Protection Directive to March 2026.

Some Ukrainian nationals may have travelled to Ireland by car and Revenue does not hold information on cars entering the State.

Finance Act 1992 (as amended) provides that all vehicles in the State must be registered or covered by an exemption from registration.

Ukrainian vehicles may be registered in Ireland. Vehicles are required to be registered within 30 days of their date of entry into the State except where the vehicle is held by a duly authorised motor trader, who is permitted to hold an unregistered vehicle until it is being sold, and to register it then. Imported used vehicles are registered only following inspection at a National Car Testing Service (NCTS) Centre. Vehicle owners are required to contact the NCTS within 7 days of the vehicle entering the State to get an appointment, which allows for the relevant vehicle examination and registration process to happen within that 30-day period.

The following table shows the number of vehicles registered in the State, since 1 February 2022, with Ukraine recorded as the country of origin.

Ukrainian nationals may seek to be granted temporary exemption from the requirement to register their vehicle in the State. The Temporary Exemption from Registration of Vehicles Regulations, 1993, (S.I. No. 60 of 1993) set out the criteria for eligibility for such exemption and apply generally to applicants established outside of the State, including those from the Ukraine. Temporary exemptions from registration are normally granted for a period of 12 months and can be extended at the discretion of the Commissioners.

Applications for temporary exemptions or for an extension to an existing exemption should be made to the National Vehicle Registration Service (NVRTS) in Revenue. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. NVRTS data shows that temporary exemption applications have been received in respect of 1,432 vehicles from Ukraine, 1,303 of which have been granted, and 129 applications are pending, subject to receipt of additional documentation.

The approach to temporary vehicle registration exemption for Ukrainian nationals who are in the State under the ongoing EU Temporary Protection arrangements is being monitored and is subject to review.

Further information is available on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/vrt/reliefs-and-exemptions/temporary-exemption.aspx