Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
358. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for increasing the clamp release fee from €80 to €125 a 56% increase in March 2022; whether any assessment was carried out on the impact of this increase on motorists, particularly in the context of cost-of-living pressures; and if he will consider reviewing or reducing the current clamp release charge. [37162/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that, the regulation of vehicle clamping, including fees, is provided for under the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015, with oversight by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The current €125 fee was set by the Road Traffic (Prescribed Charge Removal of Clamp) Regulations 2022. This increase from €80 reflected the first revision in over 20 years and was intended to maintain an effective deterrent to illegal parking.
While impacts on motorists, including cost pressures, were raised at the time, the primary purpose of the fee is to promote compliance, rather than generate revenue.
There are currently no plans for a review of this fee. However, my Department will continue to monitor the operation of parking enforcement arrangements, to ensure they remain fair, effective and proportionate. Any decision to amend the current fee would ultimately be a matter for the NTA.
