Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the case of an application for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2467/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry 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 am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

As set out in section 6 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, An Garda Síochána (AGS) is the driver licensing authority for SPSVs in Ireland, while the NTA licences suitable vehicles to operate as SPSVs. I am not involved in the granting or renewal of SPSV driver licences, as this responsibility rests with AGS.

The NTA sends out courtesy reminders advising drivers to renew their SPSV driver licence in the three months before their expiry date. This will ensure that a driver licence does not expire and that updated driver identity and display cards are received in time to continue working without interruption. It can take up to 12 weeks for a renewal to be processed by An Garda Síochána.

Drivers can apply for renewal of their licence up to three months before the driver licence expires. Irrespective of when a driver renews their driver licence, before its expiry date, the new date will be five years from the current expiry date. There is no disadvantage to starting the renewal process three months before that date. Renewal applications are processed by AGS and, if approved, an SPSV driver licence will be issued. The NTA will then process and issue the driver identity and display cards associated with that licence.

It is a criminal offence to operate without a current SPSV driver licence. A conviction for this offence attracts a penalty of up to €5,000.