HSE paid two taxi firms over €1m each

TWO TAXI companies each received in excess of €1 million from the Health Service Executive as part of a total of €26 million paid by the HSE to taxi firms for patient and staff transport in 2010.

Figures released by the HSE in response to a Freedom of Information request show that National Radio Cabs received €1.34 million and the Cork-based Sun Cabs received €1 million in 2010.

Two other firms received more than €800,000 each – Dave’s Taxis, which received €902,000, and Precious Cargo MPV, which received €812,000. Other high earners included Castletroy Corporate Cabs in Limerick, receiving €435,235, while West Cork Coach Hire received €424,181 and Frank McEvoy from Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, received €414,780.

The latest figures show that the amount paid to taxis decreased only marginally in the first six months of 2011. From January to June last year, the HSE spent €12.93 million on taxis – this compares to €26 million spent throughout 2010. The HSE spent a further €1.28 million on private ambulances for the first six months of last year compared to €2.8 million spent in the whole of 2010 on private ambulances.

The HSE in a statement said vehicles and their staff were prioritised for frontline, emergency work “and therefore a much more effective service is provided for patients or clients who are not acutely ill through the use of taxis.

“The use of taxis for patient transport represents a more cost-effective solution when compared to investment in a fleet of HSE-owned vehicles for this purpose.”

The HSE also said it had recently advertised “a national framework agreement for transport services (taxi, hackney and minibus)”.