TAXI drivers who has been available for work since the start of the pandemic are to receive £1,500 as part of a £19million Support Fund announced by the Infrastructure Minister.
Nichola Mallon has announced the measures to support taxi drivers and private coach and bus operators, saying she recognised the "exceptional circumstances" that these businesses have faced from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Taxi drivers have been lobbying the minister, saying they have been so far overlooked by government support packages, while their work has all but disappeared with the closure of hospitality.
Speaking after the Executive endorsed the package, the minister said: “Covid-19 has presented many challenges and worries and has been an unprecedented time for everybody not least those in the taxi, private bus and coach industry.
“With the introduction of restrictions from the beginning of the pandemic, affecting schools, hospitality, tourism, sport and many other areas of normal life, these businesses have been severely impacted and many face an uncertain future.
“Over the last few months I have met representatives from these businesses and heard at first-hand how their lives and livelihoods have been affected. I am therefore very pleased today to announce that a £19m Support Fund will open in the next few weeks”, she added.
The scheme will open the week beginning November 9 and, subject to securing the necessary approvals, will provide £1,500 one off payment in recognition of the financial pressures sustained by taxi drivers due to Covid-19.
Ms Mallon added: “I have listened intently to the concerns of taxi drivers over recent months and pledged to do all that I can to help them at this extremely difficult time.
“While some of the larger operators have been able to avail of other support schemes many taxi-drivers have not been eligible for support for their overheads when they have suffered significant downturn in their trade.
“I hope that this new funding of £14m along with the £1.2m that I have already put in place to waive fees for the renewal of taxi vehicle licences will enable drivers to continue to work and therefore be available in the post-Covid recovery period.”
The private bus and coach operators scheme will open in mid-November, and is based on the reserves that licensed bus and coach operators are required to hold in satisfying the requirement of ‘financial standing’.
Subject to securing the necessary approvals, this will provide an amount to each operator of £8,000 for the first vehicle and £4,450 for each additional vehicle.
This funding will also provide a contribution to their overhead costs, subject to operators being able to prove their loss of income and the need for the financial support.
Payments will be capped at £100,000.
The minister said: "I hope that this funding along with the £300,000 provided earlier in the year to waive fees for the renewal of bus vehicle licences will compensate for some of those losses incurred in recent months as a result of the pandemic and will enable these operators to remain in business and be ready for the post-Covid recovery period.”