Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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554. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date with a pilot scheme for a subsidised hackney service in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43243/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the local area hackney licence, 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 is currently reviewing the local area hackney Regulations. A public consultation, as is a statutory requirement, is planned for later in 2025 on proposed changes to the LAH licensing system. Details of that consultation will be published by the NTA in due course.

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.