Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014
679. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline changes to regulations regarding the transfer of taxi licences; the position regarding licensing and the purchase of a wheelchair accessible vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21328/14]
View answer680. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant assistance available for the purchase of wheelchair accessible hackneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21329/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to the licensing of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred this aspect of your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
On the issue of transferability of taxi licences, Action 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011, recommended the prohibition on the transferability of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences with effect from 1st October 2012. The underlying principle for the recommendation was that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market. The measure was provided for in Section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013 which was commenced with effect from the 6th April 2014.
