Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1664. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when applications for taxi licences will be accepted from applicants who have regular automobiles that are not converted for wheelchair usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32202/15]
View answerFrom a policy perspective, there is a clear and demonstrable need to favour the issuing of licences to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) rather than for standard taxis or hackneys. The number of WAVs in the small public service vehicle fleet was 928 in June this year. This represents just over 4% of the total fleet and a reduction of 42% from a peak of 1,600 WAVs in 2008. This compares very poorly by comparison with other jurisdictions. London has a 100% wheelchair accessible taxi fleet while 47% of the Scottish taxi fleet is wheelchair accessible. The effect of the low proportion of WAVs in the overall small public service fleet has translated into major difficulties for wheelchair users to obtain transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has introduced a number of initiatives to address the shortfall in WAVs including the introduction of new regulations permitting smaller vehicles to be used as wheelchair accessible taxis and a grant scheme to assist in the purchase of suitable vehicles.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA to provide some further detail on taxi licensing and the steps being taken to address the shortfall in WAVs. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
