Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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905. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the availability in the future for ordinary taxi licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45314/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Furthermore, under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Local Area Hackney) Regulations 2013, the NTA is responsible for the granting and renewing of local area hackney licences.

In order to support an increase in the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), licences for new taxis or hackneys have only been granted in respect of WAVs since 2010.

To supplement this measure, the NTA administers a WAV Grant Scheme, which offers grants on a sliding scale from €2,500 to €7,500. The scheme aims to assist with the cost difference in purchasing a WAV or converting a vehicle to fulfil the WAV requirements. It is open to all SPSV drivers, with grants offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

My Department set a goal of reaching a 10% market share for accessible SPSV's by 2020.  As of October this year we have met this goal.

I remain committed to increasing the number of WAVs within our SPSV fleet and supporting the NTA in the administration of the WAV Grant Scheme.

The NTA are currently conducting a review of the SPSV industry. It is expected that this will be completed by end 2018.  Where any NTA recommendation in the review were to relate to matters of policy or potential legislative change, these would require further consideration before final decision.