43. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to granting a one-year extension to taxi vehicle age limits in cases where vehicles were off the road during the Covid-19 pandemic, in light of precedent where extensions were granted to certain registration years for example, 151 and 152 vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44431/26]

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits from SPSVs, 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 as the statutory, independent, regulator made regulations in 2010 that established a maximum permissible age of 10 years for new standard taxis and hackneys. The Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 require the NTA to seek to promote the provision and maintenance of quality services by SPSVs and their drivers. The Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 continued the age limit for taxis and hackneys as, in general, less than 10 years old, and always of a condition and quality suitable to provide SPSV services. Wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys can operate up to 15-years old. No maximum age is set for limousines due to the vintage nature of many of these vehicles and their reduced mileage, due to their ceremonial and prestigious roles.

Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 contained a commitment to 'extend the ten-year vehicle limit for taxis registered in 2015, offering another year of service.' To address this PfG commitment, the NTA made a new Regulation which permitted an extension to the final operation date of taxis in the fleet that were first registered in 2015, and due to reach their final operation date between 1st January 2025 and 31st December 2025. For those operators with licenced vehicles that met this description, licences could be renewed from April 1st 2025 until the new final operation date occurring during 2026. As the instigating factors concerning vehicle supply which resulted in the time-limited extensions to the 10-year rule are no longer present, the NTA is not considering any further extensions to the maximum permissible age of an SPSV.

Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.