Vol. 503 No. 6
35 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has for further computerisation of motor vehicle registration in order to make the service more accessible at a greater number of locations in each registration authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10732/99]
I assume the Deputy is referring to motor vehicle licensing. My Department has been engaged in a major project to modernise and upgrade our computerised vehicle database with the primary objective of providing a quality service to motor vehicle owners. The initial phase of the new system came into operation in November 1998 at my Department's offices in Shannon town centre. As part of the process of extending this system to licensing authorities, work is proceeding to provide for the installation of a new computer system in Wexford motor tax office on a pilot basis. This will be followed by the extension of the system to remaining motor tax offices over an 18 month period.
The one-stop-shop concept is an important element of the Government's local government reform programme aimed at ensuring the delivery of a wide range of public services from a single location. It is a matter for each local authority which has a vehicle licensing function to decide on whether a motor tax service should be included in any one-stop-shop centre established by it. I understand, however, that a number of local authorities have plans for inclusion of a motor tax service in such centres. I fully support this approach.
While the extension of the new computer system to all the principal offices of licensing authorities is my Department's priority at this stage, it is recognised that extension of the system to local or district sub-offices has to be a feature of the overall computerisation project. This will be addressed in the context of the rollout of the system to the principal offices of licensing authorities.
