A panel investigating the financial hardship experienced by taxi-drivers since deregulation of the industry has renewed its appeal for drivers to come forward.
The Taxi Hardship Payments Scheme has invited applications from licence holders who can demonstrate a loss of income "following the liberalisation of the taxi licensing regime". Licence holders who fall into one of the six categories in which payment was recommended by the taxi hardship panel report are also invited to apply.
According to the National Taxi Drivers' Union, licence holders have not come forward because they "don't have faith in the fund and don't believe it's adequate".
A union spokesman said the scheme was quite insulting to drivers but he added he had advised drivers to take part.
"We are assisting our members to make applications", and helping with "anything that may alleviate their stress", he said.
Area Development Management Ltd administers the scheme to implement recommendations of the taxi hardship panel on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.
The closing date for applications is April 30th.