Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is grant aid available to set up a wheelchair-accessible taxi business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22310/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing and wheelchair accessible vehicle grants, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. The NTA's Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant Scheme (WAV23) offers financial aid of up to €17,500 nationwide for the purchase or conversion of a new wheelchair accessible vehicle.

I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry and accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days. 

In relation to supports available for the establishment of businesses generally, there may be grants available through the Department of Enterprise and Employment for this purpose.