Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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413. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost incurred by his Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54214/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In 2018, my Department spent €173,043.90 on taxi services. This expenditure included expenditure for a wide range of agencies and other bodies funded from the Justice Vote, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, Data Protection Commissioner, Forensic Science Laboratory, Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Insolvency Service of Ireland, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, National Disability Authority, Probation & Welfare Service and the Property Services Regulatory Authority.

The most recent contract for taxi services was put in place in September 2018, following a procurement competition operated by the Office of Government Procurement.

Use of the taxi contract is governed by a policy issued to all staff - the Departmental taxi account is only used where absolutely essential and where public transport or other cheaper alternatives are either not available or are not viable.