Michael Healy-Rae
Question:213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter in relation to taxi and hackney licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10770/24]
View answerTuesday, 5 March 2024
Questions (213)
Written answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
In June 2010, the NTA introduced S.I. No. 250 of 2010 - Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Grant of Taxi Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 to only issue new taxi and hackney licences for wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys. This was introduced in order to increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) in the SPSV fleet nationwide (taxis, hackneys, and limousines). To support the wider availability of WAVs, the Department has funded the WAV grant scheme annually since 2014, to provide financial support towards the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet.
Where there is a demonstrated lack of SPSV services, applications are open to any person who wishes to provide a local area hackney service, subject to the regulations. To operate a local area hackney service, two licences are required. These are (1) a local area hackney licence for the vehicle and this three-year licence is obtainable from the NTA; and (2) a licence to drive a local area hackney - this licence is obtainable from An Garda Síochána. It is not required if a person already holds a valid licence to drive small public service vehicles.
A resident of the area in respect of which the local area hackney licence is sought, is not required to undertake the Industry Knowledge or Area Knowledge tests as would normally be the case when applying for SPSV driver licences. Local area hackney drivers nevertheless must be licensed and their vehicles must be licensed and insured. There are currently 27 local area hackney operators active nationwide.
In 2023, the NTA launched the Local Hackney Pilot, a grant-aided pilot to support rural transport needs where existing transport services were found to be lacking. Applications for the scheme closed on 28/02/2023, and despite significant work undertaken by the NTA to support the provision of local hackney services nationwide, only two operators chose to become licensed under the grant supported Pilot (Roundwood and Castlepollard).
I have referred your question to the NTA for further consideration and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.