Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not have the exact figure sought by Deputy Ellis but I believe it is somewhere in the region of €10 million and the money is used to defray the administrative costs of the NTA and also for regulating the taxi industry. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised an issue with me prior to the commencement of the debate on this Bill and I have already communicated the fact that this must be examined thoroughly because it is totally unacceptable. I have no problem with charitable organisations and as Deputy Dooley has pointed out, there are provisions in this Bill to deal with the matter raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett. However, we cannot wait for the passing of this Bill before dealing with the single isolated issue referred to by the Deputy. It must be dealt with immediately, if what the Deputy has said is actually the case. Indeed, I accept the Deputy's bona fides on this. Many charitable organisations across the country do fantastic work, through the provision of cancer cars, cancer buses and many other forms of transport. They do brilliant work which is absolutely not for profit. That work is clearly defined but if a charitable body is advertising in direct competition with taxis, that is a totally different matter and must be dealt with. I give the Deputy my word that the issue will be investigated.

The broader issue of catering for those with disabilities is something to which I am absolutely committed. The Deputies are correct about the fact that the number of WAVs, or wheelchair-accessible vehicles, has dropped. I cannot tolerate the fact that some people obtain these licences and then use them as a mechanism for bringing the golf boys off to Dublin Airport. Then, when somebody who genuinely needs a wheelchair accessible taxi tries to order one, he or she cannot get one. Everyone in the House would condemn that because it is unacceptable. I am taking a number of actions to deal with this problem.

I was very impressed by a chap called Stephen Cluskey who set up his own website dealing with access to wheelchair-accessible taxis and have appointed him to the taxi committee. He is an excellent young man. I am currently working with the NTA to ensure that there is a single dispatch number for wheelchair-accessible taxis across the entire country. In that way, those who look for such a taxi will be able to use a single number to identify the wheelchair-accessible taxis that are available in their own area to take them wherever they want to go. Those drivers who refuse on numerous occasions to take passengers with disabilities will be dealt with through this legislation because that is unacceptable.

There is a pilot project being undertaken in Cork. I am personally committed to it for many reasons.

There is a need to change the specifications for wheelchair-accessible taxis. I believe the specifications are too high and the costs prohibitive. Some of these vehicles can cost between €30,000 and €40,000. There is no need for this amendment because of existing regulations and the provisions in section 19. I am working on developing new specifications for wheelchair-accessible taxis. I expect we will be able to ensure more wheelchair-accessible taxi provision and I am committed to ensuring there is an uptake of this in 2014.

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