Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 5

Written Answers. - Taxi Licences.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

91 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to apply restrictions on the issue of taxi licences; if he will clarify the position in relation to applying numerical controls on the issue of wheelchair licences; his views on whether the introduction of the London style Fx4-Metro taxi here would improve vehicle standards in the small PSV industry; his further views on whether the overall standard at present needs to be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27099/00]

Michael Bell

Ceist:

92 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether up to 10,000 hackney operators nationwide may apply for any new taxi licences and these applicants may apply in a very short space of time in view of the taxi/hackney judgment of 12 October 2000; the plans he has to ensure that any taxi licence issued in future should be for vehicles which are wheelchair accessible; and if he will consider creating incentives for new applicants to purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles. [27100/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.

The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations, 2000, which I made on 21 November 2000, provide a revised basis for taxi licensing following the recent High Court decision. The new regulations do not place or authorise any restriction on the numbers of new taxi licences which shall be granted by local licensing authorities, and revoke all earlier restrictions of this kind.

In recognition of the need to promote and incentivise the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis, the fee for the grant of a new wheelchair accessible taxi has been fixed at £100, with a £5,000 fee for ordinary taxi licences. It has not been practicable to maintain a universal requirement of wheelchair accessibility in the short-term given that early and rapid progress is needed to respond to customer demand for taxis. However, I have put on record my intention that, by end 2003, the process will commence of making all taxi vehicles wheelchair accessible.

I look forward to a rapid improvement of taxi services under the new arrangements. In addition, I intend to consult extensively with representatives of consumer groups, of disabled persons and of taxi service providers to develop further quality improvements for taxi services in the medium term; these could include further improvements of the specification for wheelchair accessible taxis.