The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge financial impact on many businesses so it is pleasing to read that the government has recently announced a financial support package for some taxi drivers in Northern Ireland.

Apparently, Nichola Mallon who is the Infrastructure Minister has announced assistance for many taxi drivers in Northern Ireland whose businesses have been affected financially by the coronavirus. The sum of £14 million has been set aside to assist those taxi drivers who qualify.

The scheme will enable those NI drivers that meet the qualifying criteria to be able to claim £1,500. The monies can be used towards meeting certain expenses incurred by taxi drivers in Northern Ireland. It is hoped that funds would be available before Christmas.

The qualifying criteria are: –

• Taxi drivers must have appropriate taxi insurance in place to include for reward and hire.
• They must have had expenses that can include the likes of personal protective equipment i.e. visors and/or face masks.
• They must be self employed taxi drivers and have been available for work or actually working between the period 22nd March 2020 to 30th September 2020.
• They must have a valid taxi driver’s license.

This will no doubt come as welcome news to many taxi drivers operating in Northern Ireland. There will no doubt be some who feel that the government should have provided a larger payment. For some self employed taxi drivers, this news may have come too late as there may be a number who have gone out of business already. There may be some taxi drivers who see this payment as a life line that enables them to still continue operating as a self employed taxi driver in Northern Ireland. The scheme is open until 27th November 2020 so, if you meet the qualifying criteria, you may wish to submit your application as soon as possible.