Vol. 476 No. 2
53 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the Government nominates persons to dispose of cars fragmented under the car scrappage scheme; where the debris is finally discarded; the evidence, if any, he has that all of the cars are in fact scrapped; and the way in which a person is appointed as an agent to dispose of cars under this scheme. [6483/97]
I am informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, who administer the car scrappage scheme, that persons wishing to scrap motor vehicles under the scheme must be approved by them for that purpose. At the commencement of the scheme, the commissioners invited applications in the national press for persons seeking approval. Applications received were considered having regard to:
— the geographical location of the premises,
— whether the applicant was already involved in scrapping cars on a large scale and had fixed crushing equipment in place for that purpose.
Six plants were approved originally on this basis. Subsequently, approval was granted to four additional plants to cater for the high demand for the service under the scheme.
The ten approved plants are subject to control by the Revenue Commissioners, are visited on a regular basis and records, books and scrappage certificates are examined. These certificates must be issued by approved persons in respect of each vehicle scrapped by them. The essential requirement of the car scrappage scheme is that the engine and chassis of each vehicle must be destroyed beyond use, thus ensuring that the scrapped vehicle cannot be reconstituted and used again. While the Revenue Commissioners have no function with regard to the ultimate destination of the scrapped material, I understand that it goes for recycling and that minor parts are sold to used car dismantlers.
