108. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of ongoing reports of wheelchair users being refused service by wheelchair accessible taxis in Dublin, particularly at night; the number of complaints received and penalties issued; the way in which drivers who received public funding under the wheelchair accessible vehicle, WAV, grant scheme are held accountable for refusing passengers; the immediate actions being taken to end this discrimination and guarantee equal access to taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/26]

Sentiment score: -0.13

I welcome the huge investment in and development of private wires and look forward to the private wires system helping electrification and contributing to the solution to the issue Deputy Murphy raised regarding electrical infrastructure. The private wires Bill can reduce timelines for the installation of renewable projects and electric infrastructure. I come to my question on the WAV grant scheme. I have been contacted by people in my constituency who are wheelchair users and are being refused by taxis despite the fact the taxis have received grants for wheelchair accessibility.

Sentiment score: 0.28

I thank the Minister of State for his engagement on the matter. I have constituents who are left waiting hours for wheelchair accessible taxis that will take them. In response to a parliamentary question I submitted last July, the NTA acknowledged what the Minister of State just said. It stated it was giving training for the safe use of lifts and clamping systems and that, since that January, the training had been provided free of charge. I welcome that but the most common excuse given to constituents who have contacted me is that drivers are saying they are unable to operate the lift. That does not stand up to scrutiny. All holders of wheelchair accessible licences have a statutory obligation to provide the service. This issue has been raised with me and my former colleagues on Dublin City Council, including Councillor Nial Ring and Councillor Kevin Breen, who are working with local residents. How many complaints have been received and penalties issued? Are drivers who received public money under the WAV scheme being held to account if they refuse passengers? It is not acceptable that we are giving money to drivers through a grant to make a vehicle accessible but they are not taking people with disabilities.

Sentiment score: 0.13

I will send it over to the Minister of State's office. I can give cases of constituents with physical disabilities who have been refused collection by taxis. There are also taxi drivers who have built up records and submitted them to the NTA showing how many people with physical disabilities they collect but who then did not get the grant. I ask that when the next grant comes out for accessibility or renewal of the lift in the back of the taxi, taxi men and women with a proven record of doing the job the grant is given for are prioritised, rather than it being a lottery scheme. If that is already being done, will the Minister of State show me the steps? I will send him correspondence from the NTA stating it is not doing this currently.

Sentiment score: -0.01