Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
171. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport when the grants recently announced to enable taxi drivers to replace their vehicles with zero-emission vehicles will be made available; the procedure for applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39649/20]
View answerI thank the Deputy for an opportunity to further discuss the recent allocation of €15 million to support up to 750 taxi and hackney drivers in scrapping their older vehicles and replacing them with zero-emission capable electric alternatives. The scrappage scheme will be open to operators of older taxis and hackneys. Up to €20,000 will be made available for eligible drivers switching to a new all-electric vehicle with additional amounts available for those moving to a wheelchair-accessible electric vehicle. While this scrappage scheme is being funded by my Department, it will be administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA), as the agency with responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector.
Work is currently ongoing to finalise the specific terms and conditions of the scheme. It is expected that the NTA will shortly publish details in relation to the scheme ahead of its anticipated launch in January 2021.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that SPSV-dedicated EV chargers (22, 50 and 150kW models) are currently being installed at Dublin and Cork Airports as well as in train stations in Dublin (Heuston), Limerick (Colbert) and Cork (Kent). The chargers will be installed by the end of the year and operational from early 2021.
My Department will also provide funding in 2021 to further extend the dedicated SPSV EV network with the roll out of more chargers at a number of new locations.
