Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 667: To ask the Minister for Transport if the number of wheelchair accessible taxis has fallen by 75%; if he has received correspondence from the taxi regulator in this regard; the action he is taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15208/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The independent Commission for Taxi Regulation is responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation of taxis, hackneys and limousines, including the licensing of such vehicles under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, as amended. I understand from the Commission that while the proportion of wheelchair accessible taxis in the overall taxi fleet has declined there are currently 1,341 licensed wheelchair accessible taxis available compared with 840 in November 2000.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation is reviewing the current wheelchair accessible taxi specification in the context of a consultation process on vehicle standards generally which took place recently. An outline proposal from the Commission for a draft subsidy scheme to assist with the purchase of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys is also being examined in my Department.