Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures his Department is taking to curb the problem of illegal taxis operating throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1318/25]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including compliance and enforcement in the SPSV sector, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

The NTA enforces legislation in relation to SPSVs and all members of An Garda Síochána (AGS) are empowered to investigate offences under the legislation. The NTA has six directly employed enforcement officers, which are supplemented by AGS officers and contractors. There has been a 50% increase in external compliance officers (through a service contract) since August 2024, to increase compliance activities. Enforcement checks are undertaken regularly and the NTA and AGS conduct joint enforcement operations nationwide. AGS also have access to the iCabs database on their smart phones which allows them to scan a roof sign to check if the taxi is licensed.

The NTA regularly engages in compliance activities against unlicensed service provision. In 2023, 179,582 vehicle and driver licence checks were carried out, i.e., 93% of SPSVs were checked whilst operating. There were 222 criminal prosecutions in 2023 with 61% of these related to the operation of an unlicensed service and the NTA was successful in 86% of these prosecutions.

I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.