Vol. 412 No. 5
166 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment if he will reserve some of the recently announced 100 new taxi licences for applicants who make a commitment to provide wheelchair accessible taxis by an agreed date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
167 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that, in relation to the additional 100 new taxi licences to be issued, a small proportion of these will be awarded to applicants who give a commitment, within a given timescale, to provide wheelchair accessible taxis in view of the specific needs of the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
168 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether a proportion of the 100 new taxi licences should be reserved for applicants who will provide wheelchair accessible taxis by a certain date; and, if he will give details of any other plans to make taxis more accessible for disabled persons.
I propose to take Question Nos. 166, 167 and 168 together.
The decision to authorise the grant of 100 new taxi licences was an interim measure designed to secure an immediate improvement in the level of service in the extended Dublin taximeter area.
Consideration was given to the need for wheelchair-accessible vehicles but this complex issue could not be dealt with in the context of interim measures. The Inter-Departmental Committee which is reviewing the system have been specifically asked to address in their final report the question of catering for the needs of people with disabilities.
