Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Employees in jobs where remote working is not an option may be poorly impacted as a result of the levies. Alamy

Department of Finance comes out against car parking levies, with congestion charges preferable

Congestion charges could be more equitable, the department added.

IRELAND IS NOT ready for a levy on car parking until better public transport and other alternatives to the private car are in place, Department of Finance officials have said in advice to government ahead of the the upcoming Budget.

The Department of Finance said that Government should not introduce car-parking levies, citing equity and equality considerations, including that the fees may be perceived as an unfair tax on certain workers, including those without access to remote work.

The Department said that congestion charges would achieve the same objectives as a car parking levy and have the “potential to do so in a more efficient and/or equitable manner”.

As of now, the government cannot determine what the impact of such charges would be, according to the report, as the state does not have the data on the numbers of employer-provided car parking spaces in urban areas.

The department suggested a car parking levy would be “difficult and time-consuming” to implement and could require years of planning, expert input, public consultations and additional research. 

The officials point to how a similar scheme in Nottingham, England, took 12 years to develop. In smaller cities, such as Oxford, it took three years to develop, according to the report.

It added: “Similarly, the impacts on individuals and businesses suggest that this may not be the optimal time to implement a new charge owing to the increased cost of living and cost of doing business.”

In January, Environment minister Eamon Ryan said that free car parking for the public service should be scrapped.

Ryan outlined a proposal to phase out parking in public sector buildings which are otherwise served by adequate levels of public transport.

He said the removal of free parking for public servants would be part of “a radical shift” to reduce gridlock and emissions as well as the improving quality of life for inhabitants of cities.

Congestion charges involve charging cars a daily rate for entering the city centre. These schemes are in operation in the cities of London, Singapore, Stockholm and Milan. Some cities charge more during peak traffic times or do not charge during the weekends.

Earlier this year, Cabinet approved plans for Local Authorities to chose to impose congestion charges in their areas – but many, including Ryan and the Department of Finance, said that it was a medium-to-long-term plan.

The Department of Finance report noted that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has previously said that congestion charges are “unfair and socially unacceptable”.

The OECD and Department of Transport have also said that any plans to introduce congestion charges should be preceded by improvements to public spaces and better public transport and permeability.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
25 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dominic Leleu
    Favourite Dominic Leleu
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 5:37 PM

    night time restrictions on water because on ice … really ?

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
    Favourite Diarmuid Hunt
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 6:30 PM

    @Dominic Leleu: Did you not know that when water freezes (becomes ice) it expands and can cause damage to pipes?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Athena
    Favourite Athena
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 6:33 PM

    @Diarmuid Hunt: Did you not know properly fitted and insulated pipes rarely burst in other, colder countries?

    72
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joanne Stokes
    Favourite Joanne Stokes
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 6:38 AM

    @Dominic Leleu: queue water or tax on water charges!!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
    Favourite Diarmuid Hunt
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 8:33 AM

    @Athena: Yes, in other colder countries that experience that level of cold yearly… I suppose we’ll be copying countries that experience 40+ degree heat regularly in their mitigation strategies too?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chop Chop
    Favourite Chop Chop
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 5:44 PM

    That’s annoying. I charge up my water powered car at night-time :-(

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Kennedy
    Favourite Philip Kennedy
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 3:20 AM

    @Chop Chop: that probably sounded funny in your head.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colonel Gaddafi
    Favourite Colonel Gaddafi
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 5:26 PM

    What rubbish when ice melt its water so how shortage? Lies by this

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ollie McGlinchey
    Favourite Ollie McGlinchey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 6:26 PM

    @Colonel Gaddafi: Do you want to try that again when you sober up?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colonel Gaddafi
    Favourite Colonel Gaddafi
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 5:19 AM

    @Ollie McGlinchey: I don’t drink silly boy shut mouthy

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Westman
    Favourite Patrick Westman
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 5:02 PM

    The government may consider expanding it to take in some areas of Kerry and North Tipperary .

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute F1rYnpWc
    Favourite F1rYnpWc
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 5:52 PM

    I’m sure Chutes jonn gaddafi trump24 chop have an opinion

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen Marten
    Favourite Karen Marten
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:08 PM

    @Tired Jim: that’s good coming from you you must have 6

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig O'Brien
    Favourite Padraig O'Brien
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 8:37 PM

    There’s always the Shannon!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave moran
    Favourite dave moran
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 5:30 AM

    The water charge policy is still on the table so they need to keep banging on about the state of the infrastructure, they will have their way, eventually.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trump24
    Favourite Trump24
    Report
    Jan 12th 2025, 9:14 PM

    Eh no

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds