Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
155. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider halting future applications for taxi licences in order to allow holders adjust to the reduced economic activity in view of the Covid-19 crisis and the impact on the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18363/20]
View answer159. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support taxi drivers as they recover from loss of income as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18382/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 159 together.
I recognise that from the onset of the COVID-19 Emergency and the introduction of restrictions as part of the necessary public health response, passenger demand for taxis and other small public service vehicle (SPSV) services fell considerably and many operators stopped working.
In recognition of the challenges facing businesses, the Government put in place a range of measures to assist businesses during the current COVID-19 pandemic, including the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme, the COVID-19 Restart Grant, and a waiver of commercial rates. Self-employed owner operators of SPSVs may also avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Over the past few months, the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is the body under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for regulating the SPSV sector, has undertaken a number of measures to assist operators in the industry including waivers, facilitating temporary licence suspensions, interaction with the Insurance industry, and providing guidance to operators on cleaning and other ways to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.
The focus now is on assisting those who have stopped working to get back to work as the economy reopens and passenger demand for SPSVs returns. My Department is in regular contact with the NTA to monitor the impact that the reopening of the economy in line with the Government's Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business is having on demand for SPSV services and to ensure that SPSV operators who have temporarily stopped working are well placed to return to work. Accordingly, there are no plans to halt accepting applicatons for taxi or other SPSV licences.
