The Green Party has confirmed a significant interest from employees and employers wishing to avail of the Government's tax incentive scheme for the purchase of bicycles. Over 7,000 people have visited the Green Party's bikescheme.ie information website since it was launched on 1 January 2009.
 
Green Party transport spokesperson Ciaran Cuffe TD said: "We've had huge interest in this scheme, from both the public and private sector. In the two months since the scheme launch there have been literally hundreds of emails and phone calls to our offices about it. The demand and interest is definitely there.
 
"The bikescheme.ie website that we set up to provide information about how the scheme works and the benefits of cycling has received inquiries from HR staff or employees at some of the biggest companies in Ireland, including: Aer Lingus, eBay, Iarnroid Éireann, eircom, Ericsson, RTE and Tesco.  There have been over 7,300 unique visitors to the site and over 1,000 people have registered to download an information pack
 
"There are also a number of private companies who have formed to administer the scheme and act as a link between the bike shop and the employer. These are the type of niche, sustainable green jobs we need to see more of.
 
"From public sector employees, we've had queries from Gardai, teachers, nurses, lecturers, HSE managers, local authority employees and civil servants – all wishing to avail of the scheme.
 
"Invariably, things take longer to get going in the public sector. I've raised the issue with the Minister for Finance and his officials who are in discussions with the Government Supplies Agency to determine how best to implement the scheme for public sector workers. Obviously, this is not the most pressing issue for the Minister and his department at this time but I'm confident once the correct tendering and procurement procedures are in place, those in the public sector should be able to avail of the scheme within a couple of months."