To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, pursuant to AQW 3306/22-27, what steps he is taking to support taxi drivers in the short to medium term.

You are aware of the recent public consultation on increasing the maximum fare structure. The consultation was open for eight weeks and closed on the 7 October 2022. My officials are now preparing a synopsis of the consultation responses and a paper on the way forward for my consideration. It is only after this process has concluded that my decision on the outcome of the review can be implemented along with any necessary amendments to the Taxis (Taximeters, Devices and Maximum Fares) Regulations (NI) 2015. This review is to help balance the needs of drivers, operators and taxi customers, including vulnerable passengers.

You may wish to note that, the training manual, “All you need to know to be a Taxi Driver”, which is available on NIDirect, is under review to create a more streamlined, user-friendly version. As a result a revision aid has been developed, based on the information contained in the training manual. This revision aid will soon be available through NIDirect and will help to support candidates in acquiring the knowledge needed for the taxi theory test.