Michael Noonan
Question:249 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of providing a £500 tax credit for all persons using public transport for daily travel to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/00]
Written Answers. - Public Transport Tax Credit.
According to the 1996 Census, 120,857 persons travel to work by bus and train. On that basis it is estimated that a £500 tax credit per person for using public transport would cost £60.4 million in a full year. This estimate would need to be qualified having regard to the following factors: the degree to which a tax credit would incentivise people to switch to public transport; the numbers now using public transport compared to 1996; the actual cost incurred by people on public transport and the degree to which an additional tax allowance could be absorbed by an individual public transport user having regard to his or her income position and his or her other existing tax allowances or reliefs.