Louth or east Meath people wishing to buy a new car this year may be eligible to participate in the State Car Scrappage Scheme, according to their local Fianna Fáil Senator, James Carroll.

The Scheme is now in operation and it effectively knocks €1,500 off the price of a new car when a 10-year-old car is traded against it and scrapped.

Senator Carroll is encouraging people who are planning to change their car to check if they can take part in the Scheme.

“The Scrappage Scheme was introduced by the Government in December’s Budget and it has now come into effect.”

“The Scheme provides for VRT relief of up to €1,500 when a new car with CO2 emissions of not more than 140g/km is bought and registered and another car, over ten years old, is scrapped.”

“Similar schemes in Britain, Germany and across Europe have been very successful and it is hoped that it will provide a boost to car sales here also.”

“People taking part in the Scheme must buy cars with low emissions. This is another small but important step by the Government to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprints.”

Among the terms included in the Scheme are:

-    The car to be scrapped must have been registered in the State for at least 18 months previous to the date of scrappage.

-    It must be 10 years old or more from the date of first registration.

-    It must have a NCT test certificate or at least a certificate indicating that it has been presented for and failed an NCT roadworthiness test in the past six months.

-    It must have been insured for use on the road for at least 12 months in the 18 months prior to the scrappage date.

“The cars being scrapped must be scrapped at an Authorised Treatment Facility and details of the nearest ATFs are available from Louth County Council,” concluded Senator Carroll.

Full details on the scheme are also available from www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/faqs-scrappage-scheme.html.

ENDS