David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the taxi companies used by her Department and State agencies under the aegis of her Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by her Department and State agencies on taxi hire in 2008 and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23584/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates a taxi account with National Radio Cabs for the transport of officials of the Department/Offices of the Department on official business. This taxi account was set up as a result of a public tendering process in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.

National Radio Cabs has a fleet of 982 taxis. 88 of their taxis are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users, which is 8.96% of their fleet.

The amounts expended on taxi hire by the Department and the Offices of the Department in 2008 and to date in 2009 are as follows:

2008 - €56,238

2009 (to date) - €9,082

The above figures do not include expenditure where taxis other than National Radio Cabs are used by officials of the Department/Offices of the Department while on official business in Ireland or abroad; it would be impossible to supply this information in the time available.

The use of taxis by officials of my Department/Offices of my Department is constantly kept under review by the Department and in light of the current economic situation officials of the Department/Offices of the Department have been urged to curtail where possible their use of taxis for official purposes and to use public transport facilities whenever possible.

I am not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the State Agencies under the control of my Department as such information falls within the day-to-day administration of the State Agencies concerned.