Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 January 2014
51. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way his departmental contracts for taxi companies for the purposes of taxis for the use of departmental staff are decided and allocated; if there is a public tender process for taxi companies wishing to apply for these contracts; the process for allocating the contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4642/14]
View answerMy Department currently has arrangements with two taxi firms for the provision of taxi services within the Dublin city area for Departmental officials required to attend meetings outside of its Marlborough Street campus on official business. My Department's policy for official taxi usage is to ensure the efficient and effective use of this resource and to ensure costs are kept to a minimum. In line with the Public Service Circular 11/1982: Travelling and Subsistence Regulations, all official travel must be by the shortest practicable routes and by the cheapest practicable mode of conveyance.
Taxi usage by Department officials is acceptable only when there is an unavoidable business need and are used in circumstances where public transport is not available or feasible. A number of conditions of use apply in respect of the Department's taxi policy, including:
- The Departmental taxi account is used for short trips within Dublin, where essential and where public transport or other cheaper alternatives are either not available or are not viable.
- The Departmental taxi account is not used in respect of taxi usage related to foreign travel on official business. such costs are included in official travel refund claims in accordance with T&S guidelines.
The Corporate Services Division of my Department is responsible for the implementation of this policy and regularly monitors usage by my Department's officials to ensure compliance with the conditions of usage as well as seeking value for money/discounts in respect of all official taxi usage. In addition, my Department provides LEAP cards for staff required to conduct daily travel to other Government Departments/Offices/Dáil Eireann. My Department is currently engaged in preparing a new tendering exercise (including the basis for the award of contract), to renew its current arrangements for taxi services within the Dublin area.
