FINE Gael General Election candidate for County Limerick, Cllr Tom Neville, has hit out at the high cost of car insurance for younger drivers, older vehicles and returning emigrants.
The Adare-Rathkeale area representative told the Limerick Post this week that he cannot understand the logic of quoting increased insurance on older vehicles by some providers given the vehicles have passed their NCT.
“My understanding is that the NCT certifies the vehicles road worthiness. These hikes hit our young people and the less well off. Car insurance for the young was also an issue in my early elected days and this was tackled through people pressure and politicization,” said Cllr Neville.
“In this recovering economy it is paramount that every help must be given to young people who are starting off in work. For a young person looking for work and starting work there are a lot of transport start up costs in securing their first job,” he added.
Neville also believes that the new government should explore the alteration of car tax on older cars, as it is the less well off and younger people, he feels, that are more often than not driving them.
“A car is not a luxury but a necessity in finding work and going to work. Every incentive and break must be given to young people starting out their working lives. Our Irish emigrants returning home must also be recognised in this area.
“An Irish emigrant residing out of this country for more than two years loses their no claims bonus even if they can prove they had no claims in the country they have emigrated to. Our economy is improving so we must continue to fuel this recovery by helping more people back to work, which will ease pressure on the system and allow more resources toward public services. This along with the abolishing of the USC is another step in making work pay,” he concluded.
