Ireland’s taxi drivers handed €6.5m Government recovery support package

Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D, has announced a €6.5m support package for Taxi, Hackney and Limousine operators, also known as the Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) Industry.

The new sectoral package, has been introduced following consultation with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs. The funding will directly assist SPSV drivers in their recovery from the financial impact of the pandemic.

Cabbies in Ireland will be provided:

• €3million for the continued waiver of vehicle licence fees in 2022

• €2million for a once-off Motor Tax Refund scheme specifically for taxi and hackney operators

• €1.5million for a NCT fee refund scheme.

Minister Ryan said: “There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a detrimental effect on our Taxi industry. While our society now begins to recover from the impacts of this pandemic, I am keen to remove as many cost barriers as possible for our SPSV drivers to return to work.

“The €6.5million financial package I have announced today will give operators the consistent support they require over the rest of this year and into the year 2022.”