Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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85. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a new standard approach to awarding government contracts for taxi services is being considered; if so, the changes proposed; if a new tender will include criteria for a minimum number of accessible taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31970/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a framework contract for the provision of taxi services in the Greater Dublin Area in April 2015. This contract is renewable annually up to a maximum duration of four years. While the OGP established this framework contract, the OGP is not the Contracting Authority on any other taxi contracts.

Prior to establishing this framework contract the OGP engaged in a market consultation process to assist in identifying market capabilities for the provision of taxi services. The market operates on the basis of loose arrangements between Dispatch Operators and individual vehicle owners. In response to this engagement, taxi dispatch operators made it clear to the OGP that they are not in a position to force individual drivers to purchase accessible vehicles. This matter is largely one of market structure as there are no large unitary fleet operators who can easily be compelled to meet such a requirement.

The most recent figures released by the National Transport Authority (NTA), for 2016, show that 6% of the national taxi fleet is now wheelchair accessible, up from 4.2% in 2013. The NTA has responsibility for increasing the numbers of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the national taxi fleet by means of grants or other initiatives as appropriate.

The OGP continues to monitor the numbers of wheelchair accessible taxis in the national fleet and regularly engages with the National Transport Authority on this matter. When re-tendering for the framework contract for taxi services in the Greater Dublin Area, the OGP will give due consideration to passenger requirements, vehicle accessibility and market statistics at that time. Appropriate and proportionate measures will subsequently be included in the tender process.