AQW 15213/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 23/02/2021
Answered On Date: 04/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the percentage of licensed operators who successfully applied for the (i) Coronavirus support schemes: (ii) Taxi Drivers Financial Assistance Scheme 2021; and (iii) the Bus Operator Financial Assistance Scheme.

Answer:

My Department does not hold information about licensed Taxi and Bus operators who applied for Coronavirus support schemes administered by other Departments.

Licensed taxi operators are eligible for the Department for Economy CBRSS Part B Scheme.

In relation to the Bus Operator Financial Assistance Scheme, there were 210 licensed bus operators at 31 December 2020. There were 140 valid applications to the first DfI financial assistance scheme and of these 99 were eligible for payment. The main reason for ineligibility is that some operators are still profitmaking, despite a decline in business. The scheme has been set up to provide funding only when losses have been incurred, to target help to those most in need and ensure value for money.

A second financial assistance scheme for the bus and coach sector will be launched shortly.