232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the pre-determined number of applications for the January 2025 round of the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant 2025; the time the portal closed at on 6 January 2025 when the pre-determined number of applications were received; the amount of funding that was available in this round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1245/25]

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant scheme, 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 has informed me that the 2025 WAV Grant Scheme (WAV25) opened for applications at 10am on 6 January 2025 and was closed shortly afterwards by the NTA, following a large number of early applications. Almost 2,000 WAV grant applications were received within that timeframe and that demand was the reason for its early closure.

The NTA introduced a number of updates to the 2025 Grant Scheme to support applicants. These included setting two application periods, with the second round for applications due to open in July 2025; limiting the applications that a single party can make from 10 to 5, and extending the time limit for grant offers to successful applicants from 3 months to 5 months, to allow more time for completion of the grant process.

The NTA intends that the level of grant funding for WAV25 will exceed all previous years, with a previous high of over €6 million being issued for WAV Grants in 2024.

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 response within 10 working days.