A new proposed scheme by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI ) will help create 59 jobs in Mayo if the Government agrees to the idea which was part of SIMI’s pre-budget submission.
The ‘swappage’ proposal would see a €2,000 reduction in VRT on the purchase of a new car where the trade-in is six years or older. The SIMI estimate that this will see an increase of 17,000 new cars sold across the country, creating 2,200 jobs, producing €129 million for the Irish exchequer and also cutting CO2 emissions by 11,500 tonnes per year.
Kevin Connolly, SIMI centre chairman for Mayo, said; “Like every village, town and city across Ireland the Mayo motor industry has been hit just as badly as everywhere else. The prospect of having 59 new jobs in the industry in Mayo alone next year would be a huge boost. It would be light at the end of the tunnel for us all after six terrible years. It will also save 677 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the county. Swappage is a no brainer for the Government and like the scrappage scheme, has the potential to re-invigorate an industry that’s on its knees,” he said.
SIMI forecasts that unless there is a new initiative to help the industry get back on its feet then we will see the closure of 250 businesses and the loss of 5,000 jobs in the next five years. For more information on swappage log on to www.SwappageScheme.ie
