Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1991

Vol. 413 No. 9

Written Answers. - Motor Tax Offices Inspections.

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

214 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the 1990 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, he will outline the steps he proposes to take to introduce annual inspections of the operations of motor tax offices to prevent fraud; if he will further outline (a) the level of irregularities which are likely to be occurring in motor tax offices, (b) the number of missing driving licences, (c) the number of dishonoured cheques and (d) the number of cases of reported mislaying or misappropriating of cash or cheques in relation to either driving licences or motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Dr. O'Hanlon)

Since 1 January 1991, 29 of the 30 local motor tax offices have been inspected and my Department are not aware of any current irregularities involving loss of public funds in these offices.

A total of 250 driving licences issued to two licensing authorities were initially unaccounted for, according to local government auditors reports referred to in the Comptroller and Auditor General's 1990 report. Following inquiries made at local level, 100 licences issued to one licensing authority are now accounted for. Inquiries are continuing into the 150 licences issued to a second authority and still unaccounted for.

In 1990, a total of 89 dishonoured cheques with a value of £7,918 were presented to local motor tax offices. Licensing authorities, with the assistance of the Garda Síochána, endeavour to recover tax discs issued on foot of such cheques.

In 1990, the writing off of £786 in respect of relatively small cash shortages arising from the transactions of motor tax offices, and usually accumulated over a period of time, was authorised.

Two misappropriations were reported in separate licensing authorities in 1986 and 1988, respectively. The employment of the two employees involved was terminated, the employees were convicted and the misappropriated funds were fully recovered.