John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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58. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when taxi fares will be increased given that in July 2020 taxis were to get a fare increase which was put on hold due to Covid-19. [25024/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy may be aware that the National Transport Authority (NTA), pursuant to section 24 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, is actively engaged in a review of the 2017 Maximum Fare Order, which sets the maximum fares that may be charged by the driver of a taxi in respect of a journey undertaken in the State.

The objective of the Maximum Fare Review is to determine whether changes need to be made to the current level of maximum fares, in response to market changes facing the taxi industry and changes in annual taxi operating costs.

The 2019 Fare Review recommended an increase in the national maximum taxi fare of 4.5 per cent. However, due to the disruption to the hospitality, tourism, leisure and, thus, taxi industries with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021, and in recognition of the likely passenger reaction to an increase at that time, the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles and taxi industry group representatives, advised that the commencement of the Maximum Fares Order be postponed. My Department and the NTA accepted this recommendation. Therefore, the current fare review is taking the 2019 fare review into account.

The revised Maximum Fare proposals recently published by the NTA as part of its public consultation on this issue include a proposed average fare increase of 12.5%. The consultation process will run until May 27th and details are available on the NTA website.

The NTA has confirmed that it will endeavour to conclude the review process quickly, following the conclusion of the public consultation.

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his response to the situation in which there are very few new entrants coming into the taxi industry (details supplied); and the steps that are being taken to speed up the issuing of SPSV licences. [25025/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Any changes in the approach to, and locations of, the Driver Entry Test to encourage growth and address the number of drivers available in the SPSV industry, are a matter for the NTA. As such, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

The Government and the NTA have recently taken a number of steps to support taxi drivers who are already in the industry.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government has introduced a series of cost-of-living measures in recent weeks and months, including the reduction of excise duty by 20 cents a litre on petrol, and 15 cents a litre on diesel. For its part, the NTA is currently reviewing the existing Maximum Fares Order and has proposed an average increase of 12.5% on taxi fares from 31st August 2022. The NTA’s proposals are currently open for public consultation until May 27th.

By facilitating this increase in maximum fares, the NTA is addressing the pressures that the taxi industry clearly faces, particularly the rising cost of fuel. It is hoped that increasing taxi fares, particularly the premium fare which is charged for journeys taken between 8pm and 8am or on Sundays / public holidays, will encourage more taxi drivers to operate during that time, as well as making the sector more attractive to new entrants, thus increasing availability to passengers nationally.