Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will assist taxi drivers by lifting the blanket four month extension on the NCT or by ensuring that the NTA extend taxi licences by four months in line with NCT tests; and his plans to ensure that taxi drivers have 60 days to carry out any necessary changes or repairs as was the case before the NCT extension. [18328/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including regulatory measures in response to the present COVID-19 pandemic, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.  I am aware that the NTA has made arrangements with the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) to put a priority system in place for SPSVs.  I also understand that no late renewal fees will be charged as a result of any delays experienced by licence holders due to a delay in securing an NCT appointment.

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

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider halting future applications for taxi licences in order to allow holders adjust to the reduced economic activity in view of the Covid-19 crisis and the impact on the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18363/20]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support taxi drivers as they recover from loss of income as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18382/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 159 together.

I recognise that from the onset of the COVID-19 Emergency and the introduction of restrictions as part of the necessary public health response, passenger demand for taxis and other small public service vehicle (SPSV) services fell considerably and many operators stopped working.

In recognition of the challenges facing businesses, the Government put in place a range of measures to assist businesses during the current COVID-19 pandemic, including the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme, the COVID-19 Restart Grant, and a waiver of commercial rates. Self-employed owner operators of SPSVs may also avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Over the past few months, the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is the body under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for regulating the SPSV sector, has undertaken a number of measures to assist operators in the industry including waivers, facilitating temporary licence suspensions, interaction with the Insurance industry, and providing guidance to operators on cleaning and other ways to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

The focus now is on assisting those who have stopped working to get back to work as the economy reopens and passenger demand for SPSVs returns. My Department is in regular contact with the NTA to monitor the impact that the reopening of the economy in line with the Government's Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business is having on demand for SPSV services and to ensure that SPSV operators who have temporarily stopped working are well placed to return to work. Accordingly, there are no plans to halt accepting applicatons for taxi or other SPSV licences.