Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
52. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance his plans to accommodate small hauliers within the fuel rebate scheme who are unable to buy diesel in bulk and who do not use a fuel card due to cash flow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3095/14]
View answerI provided in the Finance Act 2013 for the diesel rebate scheme. This is a repayment scheme to qualifying road haulage and bus operators of a part of the mineral oil tax paid on their purchases of auto-diesel for use in the course of business.
In order to qualify for the repayment, the auto-diesel must be purchased by the qualifying road transport operator; either in bulk (a quantity over 2,000 litres) or by means of a fuel card approved by Revenue for that purpose. Purchases in bulk must be made from a licensed mineral oil trader, and delivered to a premises or place that is under the control of a qualifying road transport operator.
These restrictions as to the means by which the auto-diesel concerned may be purchased are necessary for the management and control of the repayment scheme by Revenue, so that it is not subject to abuse. Bulk purchases from licensed mineral oil traders will be verified by reference to the monthly electronic returns that the oil traders are required to make. Revenue will only approve a fuel card where they are satisfied that the fuel card provider will supply them with the information required by Revenue about purchases of auto-diesel by means of that card.
There are a number of fuel card providers who can supply suitable fuel cards to road transport operators who operate on a smaller scale.
The scheme was the subject of considerable discussion with the haulage sector and I believe the scheme strikes the right balance between facilitating the legitimate haulage sector and preventing fraudulent claims. Revenue will be closely monitoring the scheme and will continue to engage with sectors involved.
