David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism 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. [23579/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that 9% of the cars operated by the main taxi company used by the Department are wheelchair accessible. This company also has a policy of encouraging its drivers when changing their vehicles to take the accessibility issue into consideration. The amount spent by the Department on taxi hire in 2008 and to date in 2009 is set out in the table.

Expenditure on taxis is kept under constant review in the Department and under the terms of the Department's Travel and Subsistence Expenses Policy, officials may only avail of taxis in circumstances where no other form of transport is available or suitable. The taxi companies used by the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for the agencies themselves.