Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
300. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the decision to provide an extension to taxi drivers whose vehicles were registered in 2015 due to effects of the Covid 19 pandemic; the rationale behind this decision; if this includes all taxi vehicles and drivers that would have similarly been impacted by the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45251/26]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, 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.
Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 contained a commitment to 'extend the ten-year vehicle limit for taxis registered in 2015, offering another year of service.' To address this PfG commitment, the NTA made a new Regulation which permitted an extension to the final operation date of taxis in the fleet that were first registered in 2015, and due to reach their final operation date between 1st January 2025 and 31st December 2025. For those operators with licensed vehicles that met this description, licences could be renewed from April 1st 2025 until the new final operation date occurring during 2026.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
