Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 123: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the level of availability of wheelchair accessible taxis within the main cities; and the proposed measures and timetable to increase such accessibility. [3291/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The operation and licensing of wheelchair accessible taxis and their drivers is currently controlled through the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002. The Commission for Taxi Regulation is responsible for the development and maintenance of a new regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles and their drivers.

In 2005 the Commission initiated a national review to assess the extent and quality of services currently provided by small public service vehicles and subsequently published Roadmap — Towards a new national code of regulation for taxis, hackneys and limousines in Ireland, which set out the areas where change is required along with the commission's proposed solutions. Submissions were invited on the roadmap by 26 September 2005 following which the preparation of new regulations commenced.

It is understood that the commission intends to improve accessibility through new regulations facilitating improved standards of vehicle accessibility and increased availability of accessible vehicles, as well as measures to improve driver awareness and training and improved information and infrastructure provision. The commission will shortly publish its action plan outlining changes that will be put in place from 2006 on a phased basis.