Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address issues in the taxi industry regarding individual owners of taxis who cannot sell or lease their licence out to a car which is not in their ownership (details supplied). [5929/19]

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.

At present, the transfer of SPSV licences is prohibited under section 14(1) of the 2013 Act which was commenced with effect from 6 April 2014. However, in the case of the death of a licence holder, section 15 of the same Act applies special provisions. In such circumstances, a SPSV licence may continue to be operated by a person who was nominated by the licence holder in advance of his or her death.

While I have no plans at present to adjust these provisions, the NTA is currently conducting a review of the SPSV sector which may help to inform future policy direction in this regard.

Given the role of the NTA as regulator, and in the context of its current review of SPSV policy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.