Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
830. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific financial supports are available for taxi drivers to adapt their vehicles to meet Covid-19 public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7968/20]
View answerI understand the very difficult business environment that small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 situation presents huge challenges for very many business sectors.
That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example.
The National Transport Authority (NTA), as the statutory regulator for the SPSV sector, has published information and guidance for the SPSV industry about reducing the spread of COVID-19.
The NTA has also taken a number of actions to reduce the immediate financial burden on SPSV operators and to make it easier for them to return to the industry when circumstances change.
The NTA has extended licences expiring before 12 June 2020 by three months, waived late licence renewal fees, and temporarily relaxed rules around vehicle age limits. It has engaged with the insurance industry to facilitate a suspension of SPSV insurance for those operators who decide to temporarily stop working and suspend their licences. Arrangements are in place to facilitate the swift re-activation of the suspended licence when such an SPSV operator wishes to return to work.
