Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has a contract with a taxi firm; if so, the amount of money spend by officials in 2007 and 2008; the changes he will bring about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4029/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has credit accounts with three taxi firms. The total amount spent on taxis with these firms in 2007 and 2008 is €30,184.37 and €26,996.34 respectively. Taxis used by my Department's officials are for strictly for business purposes and staff are required to ensure that every effort is made to minimise the use of taxis The Deputy will note that there was a 10% reduction in the cost of taxis in 2008.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if external storage is utilised by his Department; and, if so, if he will state what is being stored; the length of time it has it been stored; the cost of such storage; the details of the contract; his plans in this regard and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4043/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department uses external storage facilities to store non-current records and a limited stock of publications. The contract details and the costs involved in renting off site storage for my Department is a matter for the Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works (OPW), who act on behalf of my Department in relation to the rental of off-site storage. The figures shown below were supplied by the OPW in November 2008. Figures are for rental of storage per square metre per annum:

1. Tullamore Gov Warehouse 2, Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly 557.42 sq m @ total cost of €26,664.50.

2. Tullamore Gov Warehouse 5, Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly 250.84 sq m @ total cost of €11,988.

3. Mullingar Gov Warehouse 2, Unit 23, Clonmore Industrial Estate, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 339.84 sq m @ total cost of €16,278.12.

4. Athlone Education Warehouse, Garrycastle, Athlone, Co Westmeath 566.69 sq m @ total cost of €27,870.75.

Retention periods for Departmental records are determined by their administrative, legal, fiscal, or historical values. Records of historical value are transferred from off-site storage to the National Archives 30 years from the closing date of the particular file. In line with the National Archives Act 1986, no Departmental records may be destroyed without permission from the National Archives Office. My Department is liaising with the National Archives to obtain Disposal Certificates for files which are not of archival value. Once these certificates have been acquired, such files will be confidentially disposed of.