Shocking new figures reveal that the HSE spent €27.9m on taxis last year.
This works out at a whopping €76,000 PER DAY, with these taxis used to transport patient charts and files between hospitals, as well as transferring patients for treatment elsewhere.
And this figure was slammed, with many calling for a review of taxi figures as well as finding a better solution.
These figures were obtained by Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act.
Conor O’Leary from Purple House Cancer Support said it was a “shocking” amount to be spending daily on taxis.
He said: “Most cancer support centres like Purple House have a team of volunteer drivers and these are people that are trained in areas of informal counselling and cancer care.
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“They drive patients to and from their hospital treatment and they give their time free of charge.
“We currently provide this service through fundraising so, with some funding, we would be saying to the HSE ‘we’ll provide this service for you at a more cost-effective level.’
“These services are really important for patients. Most people get into a taxi and tell their life story anyway, so talking to a driver who has training is really beneficial.
“The HSE need to go back to the drawing board on this one and come up with a better, more innovative solution.
“I know healthcare isn’t cheap, but the amount they’re spending on this is shocking.”
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Sinn Fein’s Health Spokesperson Louise O’Reilly said: “It isn’t good value for money using taxis this way.
“I’m not surprised by these figures.
“Every time I see a taxi with a light off and no passenger, I wonder if it’s a patient file being transferred from one hospital to another.
“This is such a waste of money and I don’t think the HSE have done a cost audit for it.
“I also don’t believe that they have an excuse for not investing in better quality ambulances or personnel to transport these patients.:
And shockingly, amount spent on taxis has risen by €10,000 in just five years.
Meanwhile, Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients Association wondered why these patients files could not be compiled digitally.
He told Newstalk: “Transporting files is necessary of course but it’s hard to understand why it can’t be done electronically.”
The HSE has defended the use of taxis, saying it is a "more cost effective solution when compared to investment in a fleet".
A HSE spokesperson said: "HSE vehicles and their staff are prioritised for front line, 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.
"Taxi services are also used for transport of renal dialysis patients and at times for the transfer of patient charts/files between hospitals.
"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.
"Additional costs relating to this would include the provision of 24/7 staffing, maintenance, fuel, insurance and tax.
"The use of taxis also allows the HSE flexibility in the face of variable demand."
