Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I propose to take question Nos. 13, 64, 98 and 197 together.

I take this opportunity to set out the broad framework of horizontal support measures the Government has made available to the taxi industry in response to this pandemic. The industry has been badly affected by Covid-19. Passenger demand for services has dropped and many small public service vehicle, SPSV, operators simply have not worked since the start of the pandemic. I understand as many as 70% of SPSV drivers have availed of the PUP, which, as the Deputy will be aware, has been extended to February 2022. Self-employed SPSV operators can continue to claim the PUP and earn up to €960 in a given eight-week period, net of expenses. As society begins to reopen and passenger demand for taxis increases, this will become an increasingly important support for drivers as they return to work. Drivers coming off the PUP can avail of the Covid-19 enterprise support scheme, worth up to €1,000 to meet the costs associated with returning to work. That is the context in which my Department has funded additional measures targeted at the SPSV sector.

Many of the major costs associated with operating a taxi, such as insurance and dispatch operator fees, can be deferred or cancelled during a period of inactivity. Following consultation with the advisory committee, measures are being developed to target those statutory costs that cannot be deferred. Standard licence renewal fees for SPSVs were waived in 2021 and I can confirm that they will be waived again in 2022 at an estimated cost of €3 million. Furthermore, I have allocated €3.5 million towards the refund of national car test, NCT, test fees and motor tax for SPSV operators for a 12-month period, the commencement date for which has yet to be decided. The NTA will administer these refund schemes and further details, including how to apply, should be available during the third quarter of this year.

The replacement of a vehicle is the single largest cost faced by any SPSV operator. I remain committed to supporting the transition of the fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles.

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