Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the income of the Taxi Regulator; if she has informed him of her intentions regarding this money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17422/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of taxi licences issued for each of the past ten years; the income generated from these licences; the person who received it; and the use to which it was put. [17423/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.

I am aware of the income of the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the use to which it is put. As required under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, the Commission for Taxi Regulation presents me with audited accounts relating to the discharge of its functions in the previous year, including an annual report in relation to the performance of its functions and its proposed work programme for the following year. The Commission is using its fee income to ensure that all of its objectives under its current strategy statement are met. I am also informed by the Commissioner that the projected diminution of licensing fee income over the coming years will result in the dissipation of the current surplus.

The number of licences in use between 1999 and 2005 is indicated in the table below. However, as the fees associated with the issue and renewal of such licences were collected by local authorities, such information is not available to my Department.

The Commission has provided my Department with the following breakdown of the number of licences in use each year since it commenced issuing licences in 2006. The data for income from licensing is taken from the published accounts of the Commission. The accounts for 2008 are not published as yet.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he has taken in relation to the recommendations contained in the recent Taxi Regulator's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17424/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission for Taxi Regulation has undertaken a major public consultation exercise on the recent Economic Review of the small public service vehicle sector. The Commission will now prepare a response to the submissions received and will be submitting its conclusions and proposals to the Advisory Council. I will consider the outcome of this process and the views of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, the official representatives of the taxi industry and consumers and consumer interest groups insofar as they relate to my statutory responsibilities.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Transport if grants are available for taxi drivers who wish to adapt a vehicle to make it suitable for wheelchair users, as in the case of a person (details supplied). [17463/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There are no grants available to taxi drivers who wish to adapt a vehicle to meet the requirements for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. However, the current fee for obtaining a wheelchair-accessible taxi licence is €125 compared to a normal fee of €6,300.