Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount spent on taxis by his Department since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37328/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department operates a taxi account through National Radio Cabs whereby staff use taxis on account as necessary for business purposes. The amounts paid in respect of the account to National Radio Cabs for the past four years are set out in the table:

The data in the above table does not include expenditure where taxis are taken for official purposes outside Ireland or were not taken on the departmental account. In these circumstances, taxi costs are included with other forms of transport costs (e.g. mileage and public transport) on my Department's financial management system and it is not feasible to identify such taxi costs separately for the period in question. My Department recognises that the use of public transport is normally the most economical means of transport available and should be availed of by staff wherever possible. As a general rule, the use of taxis – either in Ireland or abroad – should arise only where no suitable public transport is available, or where the use of public transport is not feasible.

Whether a taxi is being charged to the account or being reimbursed on foot of a receipt, staff are regularly asked to explain the reason why a taxi was required or are asked for an explanation in regard to the cost. My Department is housed in six separate offices in Dublin city and taxis are used by staff to move IT equipment, lodge cash in the bank or to move boxes, crates and in some cases small items of furniture. Staff may also use taxis where there is a perceived risk to personal safety (e.g. when arriving/departing at unsociable hours), or where there is a likelihood of missing a flight or where it is not practical to use public transport due, for example, to the location of the hotel or meeting room.