The Health Service Executive (HSE) last night signalled it does not intend to continue paying for a shuttle bus service offered to staff since an office in north Dublin was relocated last September.
The short-term measure, which catered for staff who use public transport and were concerned about the safety of the route to their new work premises, has cost the HSE more than €17,000 to date. The service, operated by a local taxi firm, was offered after concerns about the "extremely hazardous route over the darker winter period", according to a HSE spokeswoman.
Staff who work mainly in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service were relocated from an office in Finglas village to an office beside the Finglas exit on the M50 last September.
However, some 24 staff who use public transport complained there was no appropriate footpath and street lighting was inadequate from the bus stop to the new premises, a 20-minute journey on foot. In September, the HSE agreed to operate a shuttle bus service.
Since then, the service has cost the HSE approximately €145 per day and some €17,000 over seven months. The HSE expects the total bill to reach between €21,000 and €22,000.
Last night the HSE spokeswoman confirmed a review would take place, and that the executive did not anticipate continuing the service.