167. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe from the submission of an application for an SPSV license to the granting of the license; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47060/26]

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry 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 operation of the SPSV sector.

There are two statutory bodies involved in the SPSV driver licensing process; the NTA and An Garda Síochána (AGS). As set out in section 6(2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, AGS is the driver licensing authority for SPSVs in Ireland and is responsible for:

• Vetting applicants to assess their suitability by conducting background checks, with its enforcement counterparts, in all areas in which the applicant has lived.

• Administering applications received.

• Where appropriate, granting and renewing SPSV driver licences.

The NTA is responsible for:

• Administering the SPSV Driver Entry Test.

• Processing SPSV driver licence fees.

• Issuing the SPSV driver identity and display cards, on receipt of the SPSV Driver Licence from An Garda Síochána.

• Maintaining the SPSV driver and vehicle licence register, together with the Driver Check App.

From an analysis carried out on driver licence issuance in the first half of 2025, the average waiting time between a candidate passing their SPSV Driver Entry Test, to having their driver licence issued, was 15 weeks for Dublin and 13 weeks for the rest of the country. However, given the level of vetting carried out by AGS, timelines can vary widely. Any concerns that you may have in relation to the procedures followed by AGS when assessing SPSV applications, can be addressed to the Commissioner of AGS, or to my colleague, the Minister for Justice.

Given the NTA's responsibilities regarding SPSV licensing, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.