David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 233: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire in 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23578/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has accounts with a number of taxi companies given its geographic spread. I am informed that for each company engaged, approximately 10% of vehicles are accessible for people with disabilities.

Expenditure for taxis in 2008 was €86,171, while €26,133 has been spent by the Department to date in 2009. These figures comprise payments both to the firms with whom my Department has accounts and taxis used by my officials as part of normal work related travel arrangements in Ireland and abroad.

The use of taxis by agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter for the agencies themselves.