Taxi drivers to receive compensation by Christmas
Taxi drivers who suffered extreme personal financial hardship arising from the deregulation of the taxi industry in 2000 will receive compensation from the Government over the coming days.
The liberalisation of the taxi industry had seen the number of taxis increase from 3,900 to more than 11,000 in less than three years.
The Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan announced that payments amounting to €604,000 are being paid to 49 people. The payments range between €3,000 and €15,000.
Out of the total of 400 claims received to date, only 49 have qualified for payment so far. It is expected that further applications will be approved for payment in early February.
The Taxi Hardship Panel report has recommended that hardship payments of up to €15m in total could be made.
Today the Minister also announced the establishment in early 2004 of the Commission for Taxi Regulation, which will be charged with introducing a new regulatory regime, aimed at delivering high quality services by taxis, hackneys and limousines.
