Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has reviewed the position on the transferability of taxi plates in view of the changed circumstances for many drivers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13026/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The transfer of licences for Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs) is, at present, prohibited under section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013.  In the case of the death of a licence holder, however, 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.  The current licensing regime is built on the principle that a licence should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market and should simply indicate a person’s suitability to carry out the role of taxi operator.

The regulation of the SPSV industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.  In this regard, I can inform the Deputy that, in line with its functions under this Act, the NTA has requested the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles to conduct a review of the issue of licence transferability.  It is expected that the Advisory Committee will submit a report and recommendations on this issue to the NTA in the next month or so.  Whilst the Committee’s report and any resulting recommendations by the NTA to the Minister will need to be considered carefully, at this point it is not considered that there are any market or public interest reasons for making large-scale or fundamental changes to the current policy and legislative position.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the work of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles; the dates it met in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of vacancies currently on the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy may be aware that the Advisory Committee on Small Public Services (SPSVs), is a statutory committee established under section 72 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to advise the Minister and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to the SPSV sector.

The Committee's membership represents a broad range of interests and stakeholders, including four positions for SPSV drivers.  The Committee is the primary forum for dealing with issues affecting the sector and many of the measures taken to support the taxi industry during the pandemic have originated as recommendations from the Committee, including the extension of taxi age limits and the waiver of licence fees.

There are currently two vacancies on the Committee.  The NTA, on behalf of the Minister, is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill both positions.  In this regard, consideration is being given to filling one vacancy with a Dublin-based SPSV driver who could act as an additional SPSV/driver interests representative, and also assist in ensuring geographical balance among the SPSV representatives on the Committee, given the large number of Dublin-based SPSV licensees. A person who could effectively represent limousine operators nationwide is being sought for the second vacancy.  The terms of office of a number of other Committee members are due to expire this year and the filling of those vacancies is currently being considered. 

The Advisory Committee on SPSVs meets on a monthly basis. It has been holding its meetings online since the pandemic started, in line with public health advice. Meetings in 2021 took place as follows:  28 January, 25 February, 25 March, 29 April, 27 May, 24 June, 29 July, 30 September, 28 October and 25 November. In regard to 2022 to date, meetings have been held on 27 January and 24 February. Minutes of the meetings can be found on the NTA website, at