ABOUT €70 million was spent by the Health Service Executive on taxis and private ambulances over the past two years.
More than €32 million was spent in 2006, of which €28.6 million was spent on taxis, and almost €37 million was spent in 2007 - of this €31.3 million went on taxis. Last year alone, the HSE northeast area spent the most on taxis - some €5 million.
The region spending most on private ambulances last year was the HSE West. It spent €2.2 million in this respect. The figures were released to RTÉ News under the Freedom of Information Act.
The HSE said the private transportation arrangements were in place to facilitate inter-hospital transfers, and to take people to outpatients clinics, day hospitals and disability services.
It estimated 1.5 million service users benefited from arrangements every year.
A spokeswoman added that a number of different arrangements had been in place for private-patient transport in the former health board regions.