Motor Tax Exemptions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Questions (1428)

Shane Ross

Question:

1428. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that under the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013, three months’ notice is required for any person who will be taking their vehicle off the road, even if it is for unforeseeable medical purposes, such as epilepsy; the proposals for exemption on medical grounds that were made by the Motor Tax Office staff; the reason these proposals were ignored; his views that it is fair to require those with such a medical issue to be required to pay for motor tax in circumstances where they are not capable of using their vehicle nor able to predict when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31131/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

There is no requirement under the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 to give three months notice when a vehicle is being taken off the road. While a Declaration of Non-Use of a Vehicle must be made in advance of a vehicle being taken off the road, it can only be made in the month before the expiry of a motor tax disc or previously made Declaration of Non-Use and can be made at any time right up to the end of that month, either online or at a motor tax office. Where a vehicle is under current taxation and where there is a minimum of three months remaining on a disc at the time of surrender of the disc, an owner may surrender the disc to the issuing licensing authority, and where that authority is satisfied that the owner has ceased to use the vehicle because of illness, injury or other physical disability, a refund will issue for the remaining period of the disc.

Question No. 1429 answered with Question No. 1393.