Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an electric taxi must be bought within three months of the approval of the eSPSV grant; if this means that a taxi driver who applies for a grant and experiences delivery delays, this could result in him or her losing the eligibility for a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47004/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme 2021 is to increase the uptake of fully electric SPSVs and zero-emission capable wheelchair accessible SPSVs. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, together with influencing the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles. The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs.

Per the Terms and Conditions of the eSPSV Grant Scheme 2021 any Grant Offer Letter issued to an applicant is valid until the earliest of three calendar months from the date of the Grant Offer Letter, the Scheme End date or 31 December 2021. The three calendar month period has been selected to allow reasonable time for vehicle delivery and completion of the vehicle licensing process.

Where evidence of vehicle delivery delay is provided by an applicant, consideration will be given to extending the Grant Offer Letter validity period subject to the extension period not exceeding the Scheme End date or 31 December 2021.