Denis Naughten
Ceist:532 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the reason tax assessments are used for assessing hardship cases, under the taxi hardship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25126/03]
Written Answers. - Taxi Hardship Panel.
The taxi hardship scheme is open to taxi licence holders at 21 November 2000 who can demonstrate that they have suffered extreme personal financial hardship arising from loss of income following the liberalisation of the taxi licensing regime, and who fall into one of the categories for which payment was recommended in the report of the taxi hardship panel.
All applicants must show evidence of a reduction in their income since 21 November 2000. In this regard, they are requested to submit either annual notices of assessment from the Revenue Commissioners or other verifiable documentary evidence of reduced income. Since reduced income is one of the key criteria for payment under the scheme some independent evidence to prove loss of income is necessary. The annual notices of assessment from the Revenue Commissioners are clearly one means of providing such evidence, but it is open to applicants to submit any other verifiable documentary evidence available to them.