Vol. 542 No. 6
242 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the revenue which has been taken in nationally in the issuing of new taxi licences since the Government introduced deregulation of taxis; the way in which this money is being spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25440/01]
Under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2001 the processing of applications for the grant of taxi licences and the granting of such licences are matters for the individual licensing authorities to whom all taxi licence fees are paid. Taxi licence fees received by a licensing authority are paid into the relevant county or municipal fund in accordance with the public service vehicle regulations. In line with this allocation of responsibilities for taxi licence administration, requests for statistical information regarding the granting of taxi licences or the expenditure of the revenue received may appropriately be addressed to the licensing authority concerned.
243 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will review the issue of deregulation of taxis; and if he will consider appointing a forum in which taxi owners could be represented to establish a more equitable system of issuing taxi licences. [25441/01]
In line with a preceding High Court judgment, new regulations made in November 2000 do not place or authorise any restriction on the numbers of new taxi licences which may be granted by local licensing authorities. I believe that this new regime is already bringing signifi cant benefits to the public through the increased availability of taxis. I have made clear my intention to pursue the development of further quality improvements for taxi services for the benefit of both the service providers and the general public alike in the medium term. However, I do not propose to establish a taxi forum.
As regards taxi services in Dublin, I understand that Dublin Corporation, as the largest taxi licensing authority in the country, has 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.
244 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the Government is considering a scheme to compensate owners of taxi licences who bought these licences in the 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25442/01]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 354 of 23 October 2001.
