Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Transport the price paid for the premises purchased to house the taxi regulator; if rent has been paid on these premises; the amount of rent which has been paid in each calendar year to date; the date on which the property was purchased or first rented; the cost of refurbishment; the staff capacity of the premises; the number of staff who are currently based in the premises; the cost for each of maintenance, security, insurance and other miscellaneous outgoings in relation to the property for each year from the date of purchase or first rental including the first partial year to end 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7309/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established as an independent body under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 with effect from 1 September 2004. Under the provisions of the 2003 Act, the commission may, for the purposes of providing premises necessary for the performance of its functions, purchase, lease, equip and maintain offices and premises with the consent of the Ministers for Transport and Finance. In accordance with these provisions, and with the consent of the Department of Finance, sanction was given on 26 October 2004 to the commission to lease, equip and maintain a property at 35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. The property is held on a 35-year lease from April 1989 and the commission took possession of the lease from 15 December 2004 to April 2024. Rent payments to date are as follows.

It is understood from the commission that refurbishment costs in 2005 totalled €239,260, and related to the need for a major upgrading of the building that addressed in particular public access, appropriate electrical and telecommunications cabling, and general refurbishment necessary to meet building and other regulations in relation to its use as a public building.

The commission has a current approved staffing complement of 11, consisting of ten staff and the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation. The premises has capacity for some eight additional staff which will be required when the commission takes on the full role envisaged for it under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.

It is understood from the commission that the cost of maintenance, security and insurance for the period from 15 December 2004 to end 2005 was as follows: maintenance, €2,305; security, €3,975; insurance, €20,490.

In 2004 and 2005, the costs incurred by the Commission for Taxi Regulation were supported by financial assistance from the Vote of the Department of Transport. Since 1 January 2006, the commission is financially independent of the Department. Accordingly, future costs attributed to the operation of the commission, including those in relation to maintenance, security, insurance and other miscellaneous outgoings, are matters for its determination. Information in relation to such matters may be obtained directly from the commission.