Mr. Jim Waldron:

We presented a joint submission on behalf of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation, the Taxi Alliance of Ireland and Taxi Tománaí na hÉireann. While we are all independent groups and have previously had different priorities, we feel it is important that we unite today for drivers' welfare and present this submission. The small public service industry has been decimated and almost all who qualify for pandemic payments continue to need them. The groups' members are small public service vehicle licence-holders throughout Ireland, including in major cities and smaller towns and villages. The industry is made up of approximately 20,000 vehicles, 90% of them taxis, while the rest are hackneys and limousines. There are approximately 26,000 qualified drivers with small public service vehicle, SPSV, licences. We represent more than 13,000 of those drivers.

We welcome the opportunity to present directly to this committee as we believe the drivers operating in the industry are being overlooked and not sufficiently supported by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority during this pandemic. The effects of the pandemic are unprecedented and the consequences for our industry are unknown. We will need ongoing direct support from the Government to ensure viability for 20,000 vehicles, licence-holders and their families, who depend on them driving a taxi to make a living while providing an integral part of the public transport service. Indirectly, many thousands depend on the SPSV industry. The industry is not only an integral part of the transport system, it is essential.

It is the only door-to-door public transport serving airports, hospitals, train stations, sports events, business communities, tourism and also those with special needs. We rely on each other for success. The SPSV fleet includes 2,700 wheelchair accessible vehicles. Our industry is facing many challenges, including financial and practical challenges. We have been a positive contributor to the overall economy and the only section of public transport to contribute financially to the NTA, with approximately €5 million per year on licences.

I will not go through the entire submission as there is not sufficient time and I will welcome questions, but I wish to outline some key headings. We believe the Government should immediately stop the issuing of new licences. Grants must be provided and we need step-down payments for drivers going back to work. The vehicle age limits of vehicles must be extended and a buy-back scheme must be introduced to allow transferability. The fare increase that was recommended in 2019 needs to be implemented and we need help to introduce cashless payments. We want to be considered for Government transport contracts. Grants to other business enterprises should include a section to be specifically designed for the SPSV industry. All future events should consider the appropriateness of how many taxis are required. Face masks and visors should be made mandatory for people getting into a taxi.

I will leave it at that. My colleagues and will answer any questions.