Garda Data

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (1076)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1076. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 19 November 2019, if she will request the overdue data from An Garda Síochána and provide an update in respect of the same data to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33752/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I have requested an updated report from the Garda authorities regarding the initial information which was sought by the Deputy and I will contact her directly when the report is to hand.

In response to the query of 19 November 2019, I am informed that An Garda Síochána issues licences to persons who wish to drive Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs), i.e. taxis, limousines and hackneys. An Garda Síochána does not issue licences for persons who drive Mini Buses which are classified as Large Public Service Vehicles (LPSVs).

The figures in the table are for persons who were Mandatorily Disqualified between 2017 and 18th November 2019 from holding a SPSV licence under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, as they had been convicted of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs:

Region	2017	2018	2019*
Eastern Region	2	0	0
Southern Region	1	0	1
North West Region	0	0	0
DMR	1	0	4
Total	4	0	5

*2019 figures as of 18th November 2019.

**Statistics provided are provisional, operational and liable to change and are correct as of 18 November 2019.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to your Parliamentary Questions No. 253 of 19 November 2019 and No. 1076 of 3 November 2020 where you asked for the number of small public service vehicle licences that have been revoked and or cancelled by An Garda Síochána in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2020 due to drug and or alcohol test failure by the drivers of taxis, limousines and mini buses; and if I will provide a breakdown by vehicle category, year and drug and or alcohol test failures. As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.

The requested information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána and accordingly, I have been informed that An Garda Síochána issues licences to persons who wish to drive Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs), i.e. taxis, limousines and hackneys. An Garda Síochána does not issue licences for persons who drive Mini Buses which are classified as Large Public Service Vehicles (LPSVs).

The figures below are for persons who were Mandatorily Disqualified between 2017 and 2 November 2020 from holding a SPSV licence under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, as they had been convicted of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As you may be aware, An Garda Síochána Analysis Service does not typically report on details where there are less than 10 incidents in a given area, and so no further breakdown is available.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Region	2017	2018	2019	2020
Eastern Region	2	0	0	0
Southern Region	1	0	1	2
North West Region	0	0	0	0
DMR	1	0	5	1
Total	4	0	6	3

*Statistics provided are provisional, operational and liable to change and are correct as of the 2 November 2020.