Minister requests power to set up taxi support scheme

By David Young, PA

The infrastructure minister has formally requested new powers to set up a hardship scheme for taxi drivers whose trade has collapsed during the pandemic.

Nichola Mallon wrote to First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill asking for the power to establish the scheme for the taxi sector.

Under the terms of the 2009 Financial Assistance Act, the minister can establish a support scheme if it can be proven “exceptional circumstances” warrant the move.

Ms Mallon and her departmental officials have been liaising with the transport sector to pull together evidence that would justify the request.

Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill are now expected to designate the powers to Ms Mallon to proceed with the scheme.

The infrastructure minister and economy minister Diane Dodds had previously been at odds over who should take on the initiative.

“From the onset of the pandemic, I have consistently said that I do not have the powers to create a financial hardship scheme for the taxi industry,” said Ms Mallon.

“That fact was recognised when the First Minister and Deputy First Minister wrote to me to say they were considering giving me new powers under the Financial Assistance Act.

“However, in the absence of support from elsewhere, I have been working to see what I can do if new powers are given to me.

“On September 30, I held a constructive meeting with stakeholders from the taxi sector.

“In this meeting, I was honest that given this was being passed to my department at this late stage, we would have to start from scratch but we would work as quickly as possible to help them.”

“My officials have been working closely with the sector and on a support scheme for those who had fallen through the gaps of previous financial schemes.

“I have written today to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and hope that they will provide me with new powers so that I can take a paper to the Executive next week seeking Executive support to provide assistance.

“Contact has been made with the sector today and I will be having another meeting with them next week.

“Furthermore, I welcome the decision by the Executive yesterday on a new support scheme for those affected by the current restrictions over the next four weeks and that no industry, including the taxi industry, will be excluded from accessing this new support if they meet the criteria.”

A number of drivers have joined together in a group called Concerned Taxi Drivers to press for Executive action on the issue.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin, who represents the group, welcomed the move by the minister.

“We warmly welcome the ongoing engagement with the minister and her officials in trying to reach a resolution of the issues with respect to the taxi industry,” he said.

“Today is a very significant step for the taxi industry whereby the minister has now sought the necessary statutory powers to bring about a scheme that will resolve the current financial crisis that has struck the industry.”