Written Answers. - Taxi Licences.
John Bruton
Ceist:
24
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if he will report on meetings with representatives of the National Taxi Drivers Union and the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27183/00]
Ivan Yates
Ceist:
32
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the outcome of his negotiations in relation to various interests in the taxi sector, particularly in Dublin; if he is proposing any review to the announced deregulation; and if he will specify the compensation measures he is making available for existing taxi plate owners.
[29214/00]
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:
35
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the plans he has for the elderly and those who are disabled, who cannot use public transport, in the period up to 2003 when all taxis are to be made wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28265/00]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
38
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the measures in place to encourage commitment to and investment in the taxi industry and to improve the taxi service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29223/00]
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:
59
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the number of applications received to date for taxi licences under the proposals announced by him on 21 November 2000; the number of new licences issued; the progress that has been made in his discussions with the representative organisations for taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29441/00]
Ceist:
309
Dr. Upton
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
his views on the future of widows who are dependent on the income accrued from leasing a taxi plate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29754/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 32, 35, 38, 59 and 309 together.
The Government is committed to implementing the new taxi regime set out in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations, 2000, and in accompanying policy measures which I have also announced. This position has been made clear in discussions with taxi representative groups which have so far been held on 28 November, 7 December and 8 December.
Subject to this, it has also been explained to taxi representatives that the Government is anxious to progress a number of mitigating measures, involving a proposed tax relief for actual capital loss in the value of a licence by reference to the actual sum paid for the licence, and an administrative scheme to address high licensing fees paid to certain local authorities.
In relation to this tax relief, the Minister for Finance has separately stated his willingness to consider hardship cases in the context of the provisions to be incorporated in the Finance Bill.
A joint statement of the first set of discussions with taxi representative groups on 28 November is available in the Oireachtas Library. This also makes clear my willingness to work with taxi service providers, and others, to develop further quality improvements for taxi services in the medium-term. Additionally, both sides are committed to continuing the process of dialogue and this is being taken forward.
I stated in announcing the new measures that it was desirable to ensure that new applications for taxi licences were bona fide for the purpose of providing public service. The £5,000 initial fee for the grant of a taxi licence is,inter alia, designed to support this requirement. More frequent and systematic testing of taxi vehicles will also encourage higher standards and investment in the industry.
The new arrangements recognise the continuing need to promote and incentivise the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis. Measures in support of this involve a considerably lower level of licensing fees applicable to wheelchair accessible taxi licences and the commitment that, by the end of 2003, the process will commence of making all taxis wheelchair accessible.
The granting of taxi and wheelchair accessible taxi licences continues to be the responsibility of individual local licensing authorities to whom applications for taxi licences are made and detailed information regarding the numbers of recent taxi licence applications or of taxi licences issued would be available from such authorities. I understand that strong interest in obtaining new taxi licences is being demonstrated in the main taximeter areas in the country. I am advised that by early this week at least 1,750 conditional offers of new taxi licences and some 60 new licences had been issued by local authorities.
