David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [23585/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I understand from the company used by my Department to provide taxi services that 9% of its fleet is wheelchair accessible, which enables the company to provide such taxis when required. Expenditure for the Department on taxis amounted to €73,459 in 2008, and €23,906 to the end of May 2009. Details in relation to expenditure by bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the body concerned.

It is my Department's policy that public transport should be used wherever possible for travel in the course of official business. Accordingly, staff have been directed that taxis should only be hired where no suitable public transport is available and expenditure in this area is being closely monitored.

The Department also launched a Workplace Travel Plan in October 2008 to encourage greater use of sustainable transport options in the conduct of official business. The Plan aims to ensure: that use is made of public transport, to the greatest possible extent, in the course of official business; that walking/cycling to meetings within reasonable distance is encouraged and that taxis are used only where absolutely necessary.