Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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338. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether changes should be made by the NTA regarding the application of the grants process for WAVs; his further views on whether the current system in use is fair and equitable as many drivers have not been able to have access to the system in 2025 (details supplied). [17640/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant 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 has informed me that a number of updates to the 2025 WAV Grant Scheme were introduced to support applicants. These included setting two application periods, with the second round for applications due to open in July 2025; limiting the applications that a single party can make from 10 to 5, and extending the time limit for grant offers to successful applicants from 3 months to 5 months, to allow more time for completion of the grant process.

I am committed to making public transport accessible for all, and the NTA has informed me of a number of measures that they have taken to improve the availability of wheelchair accessible taxis. These include the fixed penalty notice for discrimination against service users with a disability; the requirement for wheelchair accessible vehicle operators to give priority bookings to persons with a disability and the regulations enacted in June 2010 only issue new taxi and hackney licences for wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys.

Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.