Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is practically impossible for a person in a wheelchair to have access to a wheelchair accessible taxi; the way in which this reflects on the commitment given by the Government in 2001 at the point of deregulation of the taxi fleet that from 2003 a process would start whereby all taxis would become wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29487/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The operation and licensing of wheelchair accessible taxis and their drivers is controlled through the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002. The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 — SI 47 of 1998 — set out the vehicle requirements for wheelchair accessible taxis. These regulations also make it clear that a space for a wheelchair and its occupant must be available in a wheelchair accessible taxi at all times while the vehicle is standing and plying for hire. Enforcement of this requirement is the responsibility of the Garda Síochána.

A specific objective of the Commission for Taxi Regulation is to promote access to small public service vehicles by persons with disabilities. In this regard the commission is tasked with the determination of future policy on accessible taxis.

The commission has recently completed a public consultation process on the development of a new code for the regulation of small public service vehicles, including wheelchair accessible taxis and their drivers. Following that consultative process, the commission now intends to improve accessibility through new regulations involving improved standards of accessibility, increased availability of accessible vehicles, improved driver awareness and training, and improved information and infrastructure provision. The commission proposes to commence putting these measures in place from 2006 on a phased basis.