Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

283. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the operation period of taxis will be extended by one year in order to facilitate taxi drivers and their families to overcome the financial setbacks caused by Covid and rising inflation and in order to enable them to have more time to invest in the purchase of electric cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29543/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. 

In this regard, the Deputy should be aware that the NTA has extended vehicle age limits several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with standard age limits for taxis and hackneys now waived through to the end of 2022, thereby ensuring no operator exits the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle.

The NTA's extension of age limits is an emergency measure, taken in recognition of the particular challenges occasioned by COVID-19. The ten-year rule was recommended by the 2011 Taxi Regulation Review and came about following a public consultation on vehicle standards for taxis, hackneys, and limousines held that year. It was adopted in recognition of the need to strike a balance between achieving standards that offer the customer confidence, comfort and safety, and allowing industry members to operate successfully, cogniscant of the fact that the replacement of a vehicle is a SPSV operator's single largest cost. There is no consideration being given to amending these age-related rules now, or at any time in the future.

I remain committed to supporting the transition of the SPSV fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles. The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use.  The aim of the electric small public service vehicle (eSPSV) grant scheme is to support the greening of the taxi sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.

The Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the NTA. €15m was allocated in 2022 to support the industry to switch to electric. The Scheme is kept under continuous review and is currently paused to allow for the drawdown and payment of provisional grant offers. Once these grant offers have been drawn down, there will be a clearer picture of the funding available for the second half of the year and, at this stage, I anticipate the scheme will re-open for applications in the summer, allowing SPSV operators to apply once again for the supports on offer.