Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 1

Written Answers. - Taxi Hardship Panel.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

54 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance regarding the status of the payments being made by the Taxi Hardship Panel for tax purposes; if clarification will be provided on this prior to further payments being made; his plans to provide for a compassionate payments scheme for those who do not fit into any of the existing categories but who have clearly suffered hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27817/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

Clarification regarding the status of payments under the taxi hardship payments scheme for tax purposes is being sought from the Revenue Commissioners.

Area Development Management Limited or ADM has been engaged to administer and manage the implementation of the taxi hardship payments scheme in accordance with a Government decision to implement the recommendations of the Taxi Hardship Panel report on a phased basis. There are no proposals for payments beyond the recommendations of that report.

The taxi hardship payments scheme allows individuals who find, due to their particular circumstances, that they fall outside the requirements for a particular category of hardship to complete the application form and submit their details, including information regarding the extenuating circumstances involved in relation to their hardship, for consideration by Area Development Management Limited.

Questions Nos. 55 to 57, inclusive, answered with Question No. 7.