Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address a shortfall in taxi services; the number of taxi and SPSV licences issued in each of the past five years to date in 2022; and the number of those licences that have not been renewed over the same time period. [34273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are taking measures to address the issue of the shortage of taxi drivers.
Recently the NTA approved an average increase of 12% on taxi fares from 1st September 2022, as proposed in the recent National Maximum Fares Review, which will be the first increase on such fares since 2017. Increasing taxi fares, particularly the premium fare which is charged for journeys taken between 8pm and 8am or on Sundays / public holidays, is designed to encourage more taxi drivers to operate during that time, thus increasing availability to passengers nationally. Whilst the NTA has statutory responsibility for regulating (licensing and enforcement) the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, taxi drivers are self-employed individuals and, as such, decide on their own business strategies within the regulatory framework. Additionally, SPSV operators choose the times at which they operate.
My Department and the NTA introduced several supports during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the costs for licensed SPSVs to continue in the industry during the very difficult period. These included several extensions of the maximum vehicle age on an emergency basis. The NTA also introduced a regulatory measure during Covid to allow licence holders to be inactive for 24 months (previously 12 months) to allow them to remain attached to the industry with no associated costs during this very uncertain period. It is hoped that a significant proportion of these licences will return now that demand for services is increasing.
The SPSV motor tax refund scheme was introduced as an additional financial support to assist the industry in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. I provided funding of €2m to the Scheme which commenced on 1 September 2021 ensuring that SPSV licence holders could receive a reimbursement of €95 for their SPSV Motor Tax. The Scheme will end on 31 August 2022.
I also allocated €1.5m to the NTA to fund initial NCT fees for SPSV operators for a 12-month period. This Scheme also commenced on 1 September 2021 ensuring that SPSVs presenting for the NCT received, and continue to receive, this test for free until 31 August 2022.
In relation to the number of SPSV licences issued or renewed, this is a matter for the NTA. Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you in this regard. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
