Austin Currie
Question:353 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals for the future development of taxi facilities in Dublin, particularly in relation to wheelchair access. [24930/01]
Written Answers. - Taxi Regulations.
I have indicated that it is my intention that the process of making all taxis wheelchair accessible will commence by end 2003. I have also made clear my intention to consult extensively with representatives of consumer groups, of disabled persons and of taxi service providers and others to develop further quality improvements for taxi services for the benefit of both the service providers and the general public alike in the medium term. My Department will finalise a consultation document for this purpose in the near future.
Dublin Corporation, as the largest taxi licensing authority in the country, has also engaged consultants to carry out a customer service assessment so as to compare current service levels with those obtaining during the last such assessment in 1998 and to identify potential areas for further service improvement. I anticipate that this study will provide more broadly based and up to date information on the level of taxi services in Dublin under the new regime.
Austin Currie
Question:354 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals for compensation to the widows of taxi plate owners in Dublin who are suffering serious financial hardship as a result of Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24931/01]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 391 of 16 October 2001. The courts have already clarified on a number of occasions since 1992 that there can be no legal duty on the State to compensate taxi licence holders in relation to any secondary market value of licences. There are no current proposals for mitigation measures beyond those provided for in the Finance Act, 2001, and in the scheme of taxi licence fee refunds by certain local authorities.
Without prejudice to this position, I had requested from SIPTU at a meeting on 25 July 2001, a submission categorising cases of specific hardship which may not be fully covered by the current mitigation measures and I understand that this submission is being prepared by SIPTU. I am also aware of representations from FAIR – Families Advocate Immediate Redress – and I have suggested to FAIR that it may wish to communicate with SIPTU officials in relation to its concerns on this matter or make a separate submission to my Department.