Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of SPSV licence holders here; and the number of these licences currently active and held by drivers working in the taxi industry. [12849/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I am informed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) that as of the end of February this year, the total number of active SPSV vehicle licences is 22,810 and the total number of active SPSV driver licences is 33,717. 

I understand that a reliable count of inactive licences is not available, as this figure would change nearly every day due to the late renewal of some licences.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the new clocking in system that obtains for taxi drivers; the reason for a uniform national system; if he acknowledges the potential benefits of a system that would acknowledge regional differences within the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The view of the Taxi Regulation Review Group, giving rise to Action 40 of the Review Report, is that it is necessary to have a system that links SPSV licenced drivers to specific small public service vehicles (SPSVs) so that the identification of the authorised driver of an SPSV is available in real time.  This is in the general interest of consumers who use taxis and for enforcement officers regulating the taxi industry. 

From the end of January 2013 it became a requirement that all SPSV operators notify the National Transport Authority (NTA) about the vehicles they are operating at any time. This is a once-off notification in the case of SPSV drivers who own their own vehicle.  Any changes such as with respect to rental agreements or change of vehicle will also need to be notified.

I understand that the NTA has made available free IT tools to facilitate the notification process - the "Taxi Industry Portal" smartphone application can be downloaded onto both Apple and Android smartphones. In addition, SPSV operators can use any PC or laptop to access the Taxi Portal over the Internet. A call centre also operates all-day every-day to take notifications by telephone.

Given the rationale underpinning this system it is not clear to me that there is any case for a different approach on a regional basis.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make any allowance for persons who hold an SPSV licence who recently replaced their vehicle but are now found to be in contravention of new regulation such as those on tinted windows and are unable to pay to replace these windows at this moment in time (details supplied). [12897/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle standards, is a matter for the NTA under the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. 

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.