asked the Minister for Justice the special measures which are to be taken to detect those who are evading payment of motor taxation; and if additional gardaí will be made available for the crackdown announced by the Minister for the Environment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Taxation.
9.
I assure the Deputy is referring to the statement by the Minister for the Environment on 26 January that the Garda Síochána would be asked to intensify roadside checks of tax discs in 1989 and to pinpoint "black spot" areas using computerised data furnished by his Department relating to non-payment of tax.
This procedure is already being put into effect. Details of vehicles in respect of which road tax has not been renewed within a reasonable time have been supplied to the Garda authorities by the Department of the Environment and have been forwarded for the attention of Garda divisional officers throughout the country.
All uniformed gardaí are involved in the enforcement of the law in relation to road tax and they will continue to give this matter as much attention as possible having regard to the many other demands on their services. Traffic wardens also have a role in such enforcement. The information supplied by the Department of the Environment will assist the Garda authorities to make more effective use of resources as it will facilitate targetting of road tax evaders.
In the course of his statement in January the Minister for the Environment said that 10 per cent of owners of motor cars evade payment of motor taxation and I should like to know if the Minister agrees with that figure. To what level will that figure be reduced?
I understand that in 1987, 77,164 fine on the spot notices for non-display of tax were issued by gardaí and traffic wardens appointed by the Garda Commissioner. In that year court proceedings were taken in respect of 143,330 offences in relation to motor tax. Approximately £17 million per annum, or between 10 per cent and 14 per cent, is regarded as evasion. The extent of evasion has been substantially reduced. At one time the evasion rate was between 15 per cent and 20 per cent and it is expected that the new measures will substantially reduce the evasion rate level from between 10 per cent and 14 per cent which is costing £17 million.
Will the Minister say if it is true that 20 per cent of the prison population consists of people who have been detained for non-payment of fines? Will the Minister agree that it is time we considered other ways and means of punishment for such offenders? Will the Minister agree that the long delay in collecting fines results in a higher charge on the State than the amount of fines being collected?
The Deputy is introducing extraneous matter. The question deals with motor taxation, either payment or collection.
Will the Minister consider amending the law and introducing a charge on property or on future earnings of those who do not pay their fines?
I am sure the Deputy's statement that 20 per cent of those in prison are there for non-payment of fines for untaxed cars is incorrect. I do not think it is anywhere near that figure but I will get the correct figure and pass on the information to the Deputy. I agree with the Deputy that it is not in the interests of the community to have to provide extremely expensive prison accommodation for those who do not pay car tax and that we should find some other way of dealing with that problem. I had informal discussions with members of the Judiciary to get their views on a number of matters, and this was one of the areas we discussed. I was pleased to get their approval for the community service order scheme which is operating very successfully. Under that scheme people who might find themselves in prison under normal circumstances are doing community related work. I should like to add that I introduced that scheme in my previous term as Minister for Justice and I am glad that it is going so well. I would hope to expand that scheme considerably because it is worthwhile.
I accept Deputy Barrett's view that it is not in anybody's interests, taxpayers or offenders, to have the State provide extremely expensive prison accommodation — it costs about £500 per person per week in normal circumstances — for those who do not pay their taxes.