The arrangements announced by the Government in relation to ensuring a large increase in Dublin taxi numbers provide that one additional taxi or wheelchair accessible taxi licence will be offered to each individual who held a taxi licence in the Dublin taximeter area at the end of 1999, as well as 500 further licences to be granted to applicants under the current points assessment system. Regulations made on 13 January 2000 established an implementation process for these measures and applications have subsequently invited by Dublin Corporation from every person who held, or was entitled to hold, a taxi licence in Dublin as at 31 December 1999.
The regulations provide for the making of an offer to grant a wheelchair accessible taxi licence to each licence holder who expresses a preference for the grant of such a licence and who complies with the requirements of the regulations. All remaining licences, including those to be offered to applicants under the current points assessment system, are to be allocated in accordance with a scheme to be finalised.
I am advised by Dublin Corporation that, between the announcement of the Government decision on 30 November 1999 and 31 December 1999, 53 taxi licences were transferred to new licence holders. The corporation has also advised that over 2,600 applications for an additional taxi licence under the regulations have been received. The number of taxi licence holders who drive their own car is not known; however, all applicants who comply with the provisions of the regulations and the scheme will be offered licences.
The regulations necessarily deal with persons who hold, or are entitled to hold, Dublin taxi licences in accordance with previous regulatory requirements. It would not be feasible, in this context, to take account of other private arrangements made by individuals in relation to particular licences.
