Vol. 571 No. 1
1046 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the current number of valid PSV licences in County Roscommon; the number which are in use; the requirement there is to use these licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19974/03]
The operation and licensing of taxis, hackneys and limousines and their drivers are currently controlled through the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002. Under these regulations the granting of such vehicle licences is the responsibility of the relevant local authority to whom applications for licences are made. Detailed information regarding the current numbers of such licences issued in County Roscommon would be available from Roscommon County Council. Figures received from the council earlier this year indicate that at 31 March 2003 a total of 71 hackneys and five limousines were licensed in the county at that time. A taximeter area has not been declared in County Roscommon and, accordingly, no taxi licences have been granted. In the case of a licence to drive a small public service vehicle, responsibility for the grant ing of such licences rests with the Garda Commissioner.
A taxi, hackney or limousine licence is granted for the purpose of the provision by the vehicle to which the licence relates of either a public hire or private hire service depending on the category of licence in question. The existing regulations do not impose specific requirements on the holders of such licences as to the use of the licensed vehicles in question.
1047 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce a grant aid scheme to support the fitting of wheelchair accessible equipment to minibuses in rural areas, which could facilitate disabled people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19975/03]
I have no plans at present to provide grant aid for the fitting of wheelchair accessible equipment to minibuses in rural areas. My Department is currently funding a rural transport initiative, RTI, under which 34 rural community groups are being financed to operate pilot rural transport projects in their areas. The purpose of the initiative is to provide us with as wide a range of experience as possible in the provision of transport services in rural areas.
The issue of providing transport services for the mobility impaired is a core feature of the RTI and many rural transport services are now being provided with fully accessible vehicles. The pilot initiative will be fully appraised over the next year or so and accessibility for the mobility impaired is one of the criteria which will be used to measure the value of the RTI. When I receive the results of that evaluation I will consider what further needs to be done in this area.
Question No. 1048 answered with Question No. 1040.
