Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
419. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that are not required to have motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/14]
View answer420. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that do not hold an insurance policy; the manner in which insurance claims arising in respect of vehicles in the possession of his Department or its agencies are handled; the amount of insurance claims paid on behalf of his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.
I can inform the Deputy that there are two motor vehicles in my Department which are classed as "State owned" vehicles for revenue purposes and are therefore exempt from the payment of motor tax. These two vehicles are also covered by the State for insurance purposes.
During the past five years there has been one claim of €258.42, including VAT, which was paid in May 2013. In this case contact details were exchanged and the invoice for the repairs was sent directly to my Department for payment.
My Department is also in possession of a motor vehicle based at an overseas visa office. The vehicle is exempt from motor tax and insurance cover is arranged locally.
The Probation Service currently has eight vehicles in its possession that are not required to hold motor tax or an insurance policy. The State Claims Agency handle any claims that maybe made in respect of these vehicles. There are no details of any insurance claims made on these vehicles over the past five years.
The Deputy may wish to note that the number of motor vehicles attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau is not included in the reply. Given the nature of the work undertaken by the Bureau it would not be appropriate to publicly disclose these details. However, I can inform the Deputy that there have been no insurance claims involving official vehicles attached to the Bureau in the past five years.
Finally, I am currently awaiting information from the Irish Prison Service in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy and I will revert to him as soon as the relevant material has been provided.
