Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 611: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22727/11]

Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23454/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 651 together.

I can inform the Deputy that while the recording of expenditure on taxi services does not allow for the precise identification of all the spend under this heading, the identified spend for the last four years by my Department as is set out in the table below. No money has yet been allocated for taxi services in 2012.

As can be seen, the amount of money spent on taxi services has been significantly reduced over the period in question with every opportunity taken to reduce costs in light of budgetary constraints. My Department also re-tendered in 2010 for the provision of taxi services and the contract was awarded to a new provider which has resulted in further savings. In addition, the Department has made use of two official vehicles which can be configured as the need arises for use as people carriers or for carrying materials. The use of these vehicles not only assists in the efficient discharge of Departmental business but has also given rise to significant savings in taxi costs which would otherwise be required in the absence of such a facility. The Departmental policy is that taxis may only be used by staff for business reasons where absolutely essential and where public transport or other cheaper alternatives are either not available or are not viable.