INFRASTRUCTURE minister Nichola Mallon has pledged an additional £1,500 payment each for taxi drivers as result of Covid-19 linked restrictions.
Ms Mallon revealed details of the plan during a meeting with cab drivers yesterday.
Those involved with the industry say they have been put financial under-pressure as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
There had been criticism of criteria for a £1,500 one-off payment announced in November, which required those applying to have an unbroken insurance record from March until September.
Some had cancelled their policies in a bid to save cash.
Last week Ms Mallon said she would seek further powers to for a second financial assistance scheme for drivers.
Taxi drivers say that during a meeting yesterday the minister confirmed that an additional payment of £1,500 will now be made to cover the period from September 2020 to March 2021.
Taxi driver Pat Meighan, said: “The Minister has acknowledged the plight of the taxi industry in confirming that she now proposes on bringing forward a second scheme."
Solicitor Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, represents NI Taxi Drivers and made representations to the minister during yesterday's meeting.
“Today’s development comes as a massive relief to the entire taxi industry who have collectively come under financial hardship due to the ongoing covid pandemic," he said.
