Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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971. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost incurred by her Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54204/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The cost incurred by my Department for the use of taxi services in 2018 amounts to €11,192.08. This amounts to an average of €0.70 per person per week based on headcount in my Department.

My Department avails of a Public Service Framework for the Provision of Taxi Services in the Greater Dublin Area. This framework is expected to achieve significant cost reductions for the taxpayer over its lifetime by reference to regulated maximum fares and anticipated demand. In addition to using the framework agreement, the policy in my Department is that taxis should only be used where no suitable public transport is available. Public transport, including designated airport buses/trains, where conveniently available, should be favoured over travel by taxis.