Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I said the percentage was decreasing. The overall number of taxis has gone up but the percentage that are wheelchair-accessible is decreasing. While the numbers in the Dublin area appear to be okay, it is extremely difficult for people outside Dublin to book a wheelchair-accessible taxi.

I welcome the Minister's proposals in respect of accessibility under Transport 21 but, again, there are many areas, particularly outside Dublin, where people simply do not have access to public transport. I know the Minister is very new in the job and his initial reply referred to the technical specifications, rather than the issue I raised. He may not be aware that a very robust proposal has been made to his Department. Last January, the Commission on Taxi Regulation sought a subsidy for bona fide wheelchair-accessible taxis. Under this scheme, a taxi driver would be provided with a subsidy of 40% of the open market selling price of a wheelchair-accessible taxi, subject to a maximum of €20,000. Based on a figure of 200, this would cost the Exchequer €3.84 million. However, the yield to the Exchequer from VRT and VAT from these vehicles would be €4.09 million.

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