Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional supports will be provided to chauffeurs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23072/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In regard to the proposal to revaluate Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) Limousine Licences, the Deputy may be aware that the current SPSV licensing regime, which was introduced in 2000, is built upon the principle that the purpose of a licence is to indicate a person’s suitability to carry out a function and to ensure that the holder of a licence is subject to lawful conditions and restrictions. As such a licence should not have, by association, a monetary value or be tradable on the open market. Accordingly, there is no basis for ascribing a monetary value to licences as proposed or for extending the period of validity of individual licences.

In regard to the proposal to reintegrate the National Transport Authority (NTA) into the Department of Transport, the NTA assumed responsibility for the regulation of the SPSV on I January 2011. The independent regulation of the SPSV sector by the NTA, which it undertakes in accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act (2013), is seen as essential in ensuring the effective administration and development of the sector in a way that meets the needs of consumers and businesses through the provision of high quality, accessible and sustainable transport connecting people in communities across Ireland.  As such, there are no plans to amend the NTA’s remit in the manner proposed.

The remaining issues raised in the letter from the National Chauffeur Drive Association & Western Chauffeur Drive Association Ireland attached to the Deputy’s question relate to the areas of responsibility of other Government Departments and Ministers. 

Matters relating to debt write offs, moratoriums on loan repayments, income tax credits, Vehicle Registration Tax rebates and VAT reclaim schemes are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.   

With regard to the putting in place of a specific Restart Grant for Chauffeur Drive, this would be a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.