Second Covid-19 support scheme opens for NI taxi drivers

By Q Radio news

Stormont's Infrastructure Minister has launched a second financial support scheme for taxi-drivers today. 

Nichola Mallon says the new scheme will provide help to those affected by the pandemic - from the 22nd of March last year to the 21st of March this year.

The minister says the maximum amount available will be £3,000 and will depend on the number of days drivers had insurance during this period.

Minister Mallon said: “Coronavirus has caused many challenges across our community, disrupting the lives of all of our citizens and adding hardship for families across Northern Ireland.

Many workers and businesses have felt the pain of the restrictions economically. While support has been put in place, there have been gaps which is why I stepped up to provide support for the bus and coach industry and for our taxi drivers.

Today I am pleased to open a second taxi scheme which will provide support to drivers covering the 12 month period from 22 March 2020 to 21 March 2021.  

“It aims to address two issues: first, to provide further support to all eligible taxi drivers for this 12 month period, and second, to now provide financial assistance specifically for those drivers who have had partial insurance during this period.

Taking on board learning from the first taxi driver scheme, the application process has also been simplified to address the concerns raised by the sector and this time round drivers will be able to directly contact the Department through a dedicated information line for the scheme. Drivers who were unable to work because they were shielding, but still incurred the overhead costs, will also be able to apply for this new scheme. 

“The support reflects the continuing restrictions on hospitality and retail and has been agreed by the Executive.

The maximum amount of support available will be £3,000, including any payment already made under the first scheme, and will be dependent on the number of days that taxi drivers had insurance in place over the period.

It is in addition to support for self-employed taxi drivers from other schemes such as the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

“I fully appreciate the difficulties that many taxi-drivers, alongside many other workers and businesses, have faced during this last year.  

I am pleased that my department has acted quickly to receive further powers to ensure that we can provide a second scheme to help those continually affected.

This new scheme will be open until 26 February with applications being processed as quickly as possible.”