Taxi EV grant scheme
Deputy McAuliffe complained that the grant scheme for taxi drivers switching to electric vehicles has not reopened despite demand and available stock. The Taoiseach said he did not know why it was delayed and would make inquiries with the NTA and Minister Ryan.
The Government has very ambitious climate action targets. We also want to support small businesses. This is why we have very generous grants for taxi drivers wishing to switch over to electric vehicles, EVs. Last year, there was no stock but many people who wanted to change over. The scheme closed in December 2022 and has not yet opened for 2023. The Taoiseach has heard me ask about this in the House before. We have stock in garages, customers who want to buy these vehicles and a Government that wants to support them in doing so and yet still the Department of Transport and the NTA will not open the scheme. Will the Taoiseach ensure the scheme is opened? My constituents, Bríd and Liam, are going to make a decision this week to buy a diesel car.
Everybody I have spoken about wants to buy an electric vehicle. It is madness.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for his question and once again recognise his interest in and advocacy for taxi drivers in Dublin and elsewhere. I do not know why the scheme has not been reopened yet. I will need to make inquiries with the NTA and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, but I will do that.