Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 796: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of money that was spent on taxis by her Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [22719/11]

Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 800: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount her Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23293/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 800 together.

As the Department of Children and Youth Affairs only came into legal operation on 2nd June 2011, the information supplied in response to the Deputy's question relates to the period since the establishment of the Department.

The amount spent by my Department to date on taxis is €708. This includes €458 for Departmental staff and €250 for non-Departmental staff. As regard the latter category, the Deputy might wish to note that my Department has a number of initiatives in which children and young people under the age of 18 are involved and attend meetings and events in Dublin or other parts of the country. These initiatives are conducted under Goal 1 of the National Children's Strategy which states that children and young people will have a voice on issues that affect their lives. The children involved in these initiatives travel from all parts of the country and in keeping with best practice in child protection, taxis are ordered when necessary to bring the children from bus/train stations or from their homes to meetings and events. Older teenagers use public transport where appropriate and possible.

My Department's travel policy in relation to taxi usage generally is that their use should be kept to a minimum and should only be hired in circumstances where no suitable public transport is available.

The amount of money that will be made available for taxi services next year will be determined as part of the 2012 Estimates process.