Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
207. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA has considered piloting audio technology in taxis to assist the visually impaired; the steps being taken to improve accessibility in taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68612/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the creation of regulations governing the requirement to fit and operate specified equipment in vehicles, 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 have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Both my Department and the NTA remain committed to increasing the accessibility of SPSV services and have introduced a number of initiatives to increase accessibility in the SPSV sector. For example, new entrants to the SPSV sector are required to operate a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) by Regulations introduced by the NTA in June 2010. This was introduced in order to increase the number of WAVs in the SPSV fleet nationwide (taxis, hackneys, and limousines). This measure has increased the WAV penetration in the SPSV fleet from 4% in 2014 to over 22% at the end of October 2025.
This regulation has been accompanied by the WAV Grant, which provides financial support towards the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet, and has been funded by my Department annually since 2014. Under the WAV Grant, applicants can avail of up to €17,500 in grant funding. The 2025 iteration of this grant scheme is closed to new applications but may reopen in early 2026, subject to the provision of funding.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
