Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
887. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1007 of 20 May 2020, if the NTA will consider extending the limit to March 2021 instead of December 2020 to give the industry the full year in view of the fact many SPSVs would have been purchased in January and February due to the new car registration system in place before 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8585/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra904. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi and SPV driver licences will be extended for 12 months due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8746/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra925. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers whose licence expires in mid-June, July or August 2020 will receive an extension to their licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8929/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra972. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the ten-year rule on taxi vehicles until 29 December 2021 to enable taxi drivers to recover financially. [9470/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 887, 904, 925 and 972 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the regulatory response to the present COVID-19 pandemic, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
The NTA has extended licences expiring before 12 June 2020 by three months, waived late licence renewal fees, and temporarily relaxed rules around vehicle age limits. The need for further measures will continue to be reviewed in the context of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
