Written Answers. - Motor Tax Concession Scheme.
Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:
38
Mr. B. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Finance
if he will review the requirement that disabled drivers and passengers attend the vehicle registration office rather than the local Garda station in order to claim for refund of excise duty on fuel in view of the fact that this is causing hardship to disabled drivers.
[7763/95]
The disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' tax concessions scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, provides for the remission or repayment of taxes payable on the purchase of a vehicle for use by a qualifying applicant, and for repayment of excise duty on fuel used in the vehicle.
The Disabled Drivers' and Disabled Passengers' (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 which came into effect on 1 December 1994, introduced a number of improvements to the previous scheme. Provision was made for the remission of taxes on the purchase of a new vehicle, while applicants who had purchased a used vehicle would also now be able to benefit under the scheme. The scheme was also extended to include organisations responsible for the care of qualifying disabled persons.
Under the old scheme, in order for a disabled person to reclaim the taxes on a vehicle, the vehicle had to be brought to a Garda station for examination and certification. To claim refunds of excise duty paid on fuel purchased for use in the vehicle, the vehicle had to be brought to a Garda station to have the mileage certified. The Revenue Commissioners considered that these arrangements were proving unsatisfactory from an administrative point of view and, when the new scheme was being introduced in December 1994, took the opportunity to introduce revised arrangements. One of the changes introduced was to require that the vehicle be examined by Revenue officials at the local vehicle registration office (VRO).
It has become evident that the requirement to visit the VRO is causing inconvenience to some disabled persons. The Revenue Commissioners have reviewed the operation of the new scheme and have decided, with effect from 1 May 1995, to introduce fundamental changes to the way claims are processed. In future, claims will no longer need to be certified at either a VRO or at a Garda station. Instead, applicants will post their applications directly to a central Revenue office for decision. The central office will select a small number of claims for further audit and this may involve a Revenue official visiting the applicant by appointment. The selection of a claim for audit will not result in a delay in processing the claim. A letter has issued to all disabled drivers advising them of the new arrangements.
I am satisfied that the new procedures now being introduced represent a considerable improvement to the operation of the scheme and will be welcomed by the disabled community. The Revenue Commissioners are committed to providing the best possible service to the public and, where problems are identified, are pleased to make every effort to arrive at a satisfactory solution.
