Ms Anne Graham:

Regarding assessing a project and focusing on time-based savings, that is a methodology we are obliged to follow because it is the methodology set out by the Department. We have made the case that this methodology should be changed to assess projects in a different way, which would then provide a lot more benefits for those sustainable projects, particularly walking and cycling projects. At the moment, the methodology is as set out so we are obliged to follow that at this time.

I think we responded to Deputy O'Rourke's questions. Obviously, we will respond further if there is any further follow-up. Deputy Lahart also looked at the taxi industry. I will give some facts and figures regarding where we are in terms of the numbers of vehicles in the industry post Covid. We are down about 11% in terms of vehicle licences from pre-Covid. Out of that, there are a number of inactive vehicle licences so there are about 3,200 that could return to the industry in the next 24 months post expiry - they remain connected to the industry and we hope to see as many of them as possible coming back to the industry. The number of those who are available to drive in Dublin has reduced by 5.5% since 2019. We are undertaking a driver recruitment campaign to encourage new applicants to take up driver licences. We hope that this campaign results in new driver licences, as was the case when we did a campaign a number of years ago, so that we can start building back up the sector post Covid. There is no doubt that it is still having an impact on availability at those core hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

As to whether it would make any difference if we were to allow what we would consider a more deregulated market in terms of ride hailing, there is a misconception that the old-style Uber, which was what it was offering, still operates in the UK and western Europe. This involved unlicensed drivers and unlicensed vehicles. In fact, in the UK, the regulations have been changed to permit only police-vetted and licensed drivers to operate even for ride share in London. The same is true for Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and France and many cities further afield in which Uber operates. Uber does not operate with unlicensed drivers in London. It is regulated by Transport for London in the same way as any private hire offering. Drivers must have a private hire vehicle driver licence from Transport for London. We would suggest that this regulatory model would also be used in Ireland so that Garda-vetted drivers would be used in terms of Uber services.

That is currently the case with licensed taxi drivers. We would encourage that this remain the case for vehicle licences going through the regulatory model as well as driver licences.

Deputy Lahart spoke about communication around electric vehicle grants. We will ensure that we communicate more around the fact that we can pay the grant directly to the garage rather than the individual. The Deputy made the case that this seemed much more affordable for the taxi industry. If that is not clear in our guidelines, we will make it clearer.

Metro south west was the next issue.