1189. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason applicants in isolated rural areas are finding it difficult to obtain a rural local area hackney licence; why the current system is not working; why the National Transport Authority is not currently issuing either ordinary taxi licences or hackney licences. [38305/15]

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the issue of SPSV licences and the Local Area Hackney Scheme, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

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.