Vol. 530 No. 5
130 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps which are being taken to make the promised refund to those who purchased taxi licences at the £15,000 fee; if local authorities have been provided with the appropriate information as to the way in which the refund should be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4313/01]
131 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious disadvantage being caused to owners of wheelchair accessible taxis, many of whom are facing severe financial difficulties due to the cost of their vehicles over those who have been given the new licences for traditional four door vehicles; if he has any plans for the financial assistance of those facing difficulties as a result of the Government decision to issue licences for non-wheelchair compliant taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4314/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
My Department has now issued instructions to taxi licensing authorities regarding arrangements for the refund of certain taxi and wheelchair accessible taxi licence fees on the basis of the difference between the default fees specified in the Public Service Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations, 1995 – £3,000 for an ordinary taxi licence, £100 for a wheelchair accessible taxi licence – and any higher fee received by a licensing authority prior to 21 November 2000. This measure is designed particularly to benefit holders of wheelchair accessible taxi licences which account for the great majority of taxi licences issued between 1995 and 2000.
The new taxi regime announced by the Government also discriminates in favour of wheelchair accessibility through the licence fee structure which has been developed, £100 for a new wheelchair accessible taxi licence and £5,000 for other taxi licences. While it has not been practicable to provide for 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, I have put on record my intention that by end 2003 the process will commence of making all taxi vehicles wheelchair accessible.
I also refer to the reply to Question No. 201 of 13 February 2001.
