A €6.5m support package for Taxi, Hackney and Limousine operators is a welcome development for the local public service vehicle industry, a Dublin Mid-West TD has said. Emer Higgins T.D. has welcomed the announcement and the support it will give to local taxi drivers and other public service vehicle operators as they recover from the effects of the pandemic and return to work.
“I know many local taxi drivers and those employed in the industry have been working hard the last year and doing their best to continue working through the pandemic, but obviously when there were less people out and about in the community or needing to get to work and other appointments it was far more difficult for taxi drivers to get the work they need,” said Deputy Higgins. “As society returns to more of a normal pace, these latest announcements for Taxi, Hackney and Limousine operators will help them get back on their feet and help with some of the cost barriers they face in returning to work.
The new sectoral package, developed following consultation with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs, will directly assist SPSV drivers in their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing the following supports: €3 million for the continued waiver of vehicle licence fees in 2022. €2 million for a once-off Motor Tax Refund scheme specifically for taxi and hackney operators and €1.5 million for a NCT fee refund scheme. The Minister and his department engaged with those in the industry to really establish what were the significant financial barriers and where supports were most needed and I’m delighted we were able to deliver those supports for taxi drivers and others employed in the industry in Dublin Mid-West,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
