Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

8. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding proposed changes to the knowledge test for rural hackney licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46016/14]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question relates to an issue that I have been raising for some time, namely, the knowledge tests that people who apply for hackney licences in rural areas must take, the tests' level of complexity and their failure rate. They are almost designed to be failed. Will the Minister of State update me on what the National Transport Authority, NTA, and-or her Department are doing to improve the situation?

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The regulation of the small public service vehicle, SPSV, industry is a matter for the NTA under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have referred the Deputy's question to it for direct reply.

Provision is made in the NTA's regulations for the grant of rural hackney licences. The Minister has no role in the matter. For the local area hackney licence, there is no requirement to undertake the industry knowledge or area knowledge test that is normally required for SPSV licences. There is no intention to alter this situation. Action No. 46 of the taxi regulation review report recommended the introduction of a local area hackney licence to address transport deficits in rural areas. Regulations providing for the introduction of such licences were made by the NTA with effect from December 2013. An Garda Síochána is the licensing authority for local area hackney driver licences and the NTA is the licensing authority for local area hackney vehicle licences.

The local area hackney licence is designed to facilitate low-cost entry into the hackney market for transport provision in rural areas. The NTA can only issue these licences where it is satisfied that there is a demand for a hackney service in the area in respect of which the licence is sought and the public transport needs of the area are not currently being adequately met. It is a local response to a local demand and is not designed to displace existing services. As the Deputy understands, parts of rural Ireland are not serviced by public transport. The local area hackney licence forms part of a suite of measures that were introduced to alleviate this difficulty. For example, if people have medical appointments, they can call a hackney licensed under this system.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I know that the NTA is the responsible agency, but it could be encouraged by her and her two ministerial colleagues to do a bit more. If someone in Piltown in south Kilkenny wants to become a hackney driver, much of the person's business might be in south Tipperary or Waterford, but he or she will not be asked about those areas in a knowledge test. Rather, the questions will be on places in Castlecomer and near the Laois border. Similarly, if the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, was from the town of Claremorris and wanted to take the hackney knowledge test, he would be expected to know on which street in Belmullet the funeral home was or on which street in Cong the post office was.

I have seen the tests that some people from my own county have been asked to take. On what street in Doon is the AIB is one of the questions. It is not there anymore because it has closed. If one is from Abbeyfeale in County Limerick, one is more likely to need to know places in Listowel, Knocknagoshel and Duagh in County Kerry, but one will never be asked about them. Instead, one will be asked about places 50 or 60 miles away. This is so because the test as currently constructed is designed to keep people out. This is why a new rural hackney licence needed to be introduced, but it does not address the key problem.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry, Deputy, but I will let you back in again.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are probably discussing two distinct issues. The rural hackney licence to which I referred is flexible and responds to local demand. Features of the local area hackney licence include confirmation of the need for a proposed local area hackney service from either an established body representing local business or a community group that has been granted charitable status by Revenue; an analysis of that need carried out for the relevant local authority; a specified area of operation outside of which a licenceholder cannot advertise the provision of services; and a low-entry cost involving a vehicle licence fee of €50. Where the applicant is resident in the area to which the licence relates, he or she is not required to undertake the SPSV skills development programme. To date, 35 licence applications have been received by the NTA, four licences have been issued, four conditional offers have been made and a further four have been approved in principle, depending on the proposal of suitable vehicles.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While I accept the introduction of the rural hackney licence, this special licence was brought about because so many people were failing the knowledge test. The test is the problem. I raised this matter with the Minister of State's predecessor, the current Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, and with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe's predecessor at committee. The test is designed to be failed. In some instances, more than 90% of applicants fail the test every year. The NTA seems to have little interest in changing the test. Maybe it will when the new CEO takes over. I acknowledge the work of the previous CEO. This special licence was introduced because one could not find a hackney in rural areas, there were so many people failing the knowledge test.

I will urge the Minister of State to do something. While I understand that this is the NTA's responsibility, will she encourage it? It is half-way down the road towards changing the knowledge test, but it needs to be nudged a bit more. It is unfair if someone from Belmullet in County Mayo is asked about places along the Sligo-Roscommon border.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I take the Deputy's points on board. We will raise the matter with the NTA. I will discuss it with my ministerial colleagues.