Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide for an increase in staff, particularly enforcement staff, in the office of the taxi regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35048/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2007 the Commission for Taxi Regulation recruited a dedicated enforcement team for the industry. An Garda Síochána are also authorised officers under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. The Commission team of 9 officers work closely with other enforcement agencies, including the Gardaí, Revenue Commissioners and Department of Social Protection to ensure effective compliance in the industry. The resourcing of the Commission for Taxi Regulation is a matter for the Commission having regard to the Government's decision on the moratorium on recruitment and promotion and the Employment Control Framework (ECF). The National Transport Authority (NTA) will have responsibility for the resourcing of the enforcement team following the incorporation of the CTR into the NTA.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider authorising the taxi regulator or National Transport Authority to provide financial incentives towards the purchase of new wheelchair accessible taxis; if he will authorise the regulator to buy back surplus taxi plates at cost price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35045/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) favours the provision of some financial assistance to wheelchair accessible licence holders to upgrade their vehicles by 2012. I have referred the CTR proposal to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for its consideration and decision as financial assistance will be a matter for the NTA following the incorporation of the CTR into the NTA. The Taxi Regulation Act 2003 does not provide the CTR with the power to purchase back taxi licences. I do not propose amending legislation to enable the CTR to have such powers in the future. I understand that all new taxi licences issued by the Commission from 8th June 2010 are non-transferable licences.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána are the licensing authority for the grant of a small public service vehicle (PSV) driver licence. One of the requirements for the grant of a PSV driver licence is a full Irish driving licence or an equivalent licence from an EU or EEA Member State or another recognised State for which there is provision for mutual recognition of driving licences.