Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
130. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the supports that are available to taxi operators for the provision of wheelchair-accessible taxis; the funding provided in the Budget to support the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and the number of wheelchair accessible taxis in operation in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36193/24]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
My Department is committed to making public transport accessible for all and has introduced a number of initiatives to support this. In order to increase the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) penetration of the SPSV fleet nationwide (taxis, hackneys, and limousines), the NTA introduced S.I. No. 250 of 2010 (Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Grant of Taxi Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2010) in June 2010, to only issue new taxi and hackney licences for wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys.
This S.I. has been supported by wheelchair accessible vehicle grants to provide financial support towards the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet. Under this Scheme, drivers can avail of up to €17,500 in grant funding. The Scheme is administered by the NTA.
I have referred your question to the NTA for further information and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
