Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
758. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if new measures to ensure that there are enough wheelchair-accessible taxis available for wheelchair users, particularly in the Dublin area, will be implemented; if a way can be found to ensure that taxi drivers who have obtained grants to adapt their taxis to wheelchair use actually give priority to wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7323/20]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to be aware that between February 2019 and February 2020 the number of licensed wheelchair-accessible small public service vehicles (SPSVs) increased from 2,253 to 3,100, an increase of 37.5%. In light of this increase in wheelchair-accessible SPSVs, I see no reason to introduce new legislative measures at this time.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory regulator for the SPSV sector and it also administers the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant scheme for the SPSV sector. Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you in regard to the other matters raised in your question. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
