Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has given consideration to mandating algorithm transparency for any taxi phone app; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68134/25]

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 have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

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 reply within 10 working days.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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156. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to review the current regulation around taxi dispatchers to mandate any taxi trip booked does not fall below the metered rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68135/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The NTA is the independent transport regulator of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, and I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of that sector.

Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 & 2016 empowers the NTA Board to make a “Maximum Fares Order” fixing the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024, and a maximum fare review is carried out approximately every 2 years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. Hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use a meter.

The NTA's most recent fare review was undertaken between November 2023 and March 2024. During this review, the NTA took account of the most significant economic issues that were relevant to the SPSV sector which included: inflation and cost of living, fuel prices and energy supply, geopolitical uncertainty and increased public transport availability. Following this review, and a public consultation on the matter, the NTA introduced the Taxi Regulation (Maximum Fares) Order 2024 which increased taxi fares by an average of 9%. This came into operation on 1 December 2024 and ensures that taxi fares continue to reflect the rising costs associated with operating a taxi in Ireland. This increase includes a special rate for the weekend peak, 12 midnight to 4.00am, on Friday night into Saturday morning and Saturday night into Sunday morning, year-round, to incentivise more drivers to service the night-time economy. This followed on from the 2022 Order in which a 12% increase on fares was introduced.

As set out in the legislation, charging more than this maximum fare can lead to a prosecution, however, charging below the maximum fare is permitted.

I issued a letter to the NTA on 19 November last asking that they clarify the regulatory position on fixed price fares for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike. I also met with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs on 27th November whose role it is to provide advice to the Minister and the NTA in relation to issues relevant to SPSVs and their drivers, where the matter was discussed. I intend to further engage with SPSV sectoral representatives on this issue, once I receive the regulatory clarification from the NTA.

SPSV operators are self-employed and may decide whether (or not) to sign-up with a licensed dispatch operator. They are not obliged to be affiliated with any dispatch operator but where they choose to do so, they are free to contract with a dispatch operator of their choice.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to ensure that the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 protects taxi drivers from the introduction of ‘fixed pricing’ and ensures that companies cannot offer taxi fares below the regulated taxi meter. [68141/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to ensure that the taxi industry and taxi drivers in particular are supported as the fixed pricing policy of taxi companies comes into effect. [68142/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the independent transport regulator of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, and I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of that sector.

Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 & 2016 empowers the NTA Board to make a “Maximum Fares Order” fixing the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024, and a maximum fare review is carried out approximately every 2 years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. Hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use a meter.

The NTA's most recent fare review was undertaken between November 2023 and March 2024. During this review, the NTA took account of the most significant economic issues that were relevant to the SPSV sector which included: inflation and cost of living, fuel prices and energy supply, geopolitical uncertainty and increased public transport availability. Following this review, and a public consultation on the matter, the NTA introduced the Taxi Regulation (Maximum Fares) Order 2024 which increased taxi fares by an average of 9%. This came into operation on 1 December 2024 and ensures that taxi fares continue to reflect the rising costs associated with operating a taxi in Ireland. This increase includes a special rate for the weekend peak, 12 midnight to 4.00am, on Friday night into Saturday morning and Saturday night into Sunday morning, year-round, to incentivise more drivers to service the night-time economy. This followed on from the 2022 Order in which a 12% increase on fares was introduced.

As set out in the legislation, charging more than this maximum fare can lead to a prosecution, however, charging below the maximum fare is permitted.

I issued a letter to the NTA on 19 November last asking that they clarify the regulatory position on the Uber fixed price fare for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike. I also recently met with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs, whose role it is to provide advice to the Minister and the NTA in relation to issues relevant to SPSVs and their drivers, where the matter was discussed. I intend to further engage with SPSV sectoral representatives on this issue, once I receive the regulatory clarification from the NTA.