Vol. 560 No. 1
275 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his policy in regard to the promotion of park and ride facilities; his views on whether the tax incentive schemes for park and ride facilities are adequate, if not, the steps he is proposing to take to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1427/03]
In order to promote the provision of park and ride facilities in the Finance Act 1999, I introduced accelerated capital allowances of up to 100% for capital expenditure on the construction or refurbishment of park and ride developments in or near designated urban areas which provide parking facilities for commuters using public transport. Relief is also available for expenditure on the construction or refurbishment of related residential developments which are located at park and ride facilities. Guidelines on the operation of the scheme were issued by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in August 1999. The guidelines set out various criteria which a park and ride development and residential developments which are located at park and ride facilities must meet in order to qualify under the scheme. Certification of a development for the purposes of obtaining relief under the scheme is carried out by certain local authorities.
The Finance Act 1999 also provided for capital allowances for commercial developments located at these park and ride facilities. Guidelines in relation to the commercial development element of these park and ride facilities were issued in July 2001 after discussions with EU Commission officials on State aid rules. In my recent budget I extended the qualifying period from 30 June 2004 to 31 December 2004.
The Department of Transport is currently in the process of contacting all the relevant local authorities to provide an estimate of the number of persons who have availed of capital allowances for the construction of park and ride facilities. This information will then be supplied to my Department.
