andMr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what are the salaries paid in the current financial year to (a) the President, (b) Ministers, and (c) Parliamentary Secretaries, and what is the cost per annum of providing transport (including drivers' pay) for (1) the President and (2) each Minister.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Executive Council Members' Salaries.
Salaries.—In the Estimates as passed by the Dáil on the 9th June, 1937, the following sums were voted for the financial year 1937-38 as the salaries of
|
(a) The President of the Executive Council |
£2,500 (inclusive) |
|
(b) Ministers |
£1,700 (inclusive) |
|
(c) Parliamentary Secretaries |
£1,200 (inclusive) |
subject in each case to income-tax.
During the period from the 1st April, 1937, to , howe3ees were not drawn at the aforementioned rates, but at the following, which were paid free of income-tax:—
|
(a) The President of the Executive Council |
£1,500 (inclusive) |
|
(b) Ministers |
£1,000 (inclusive) |
|
(c) Parliamentary Secretaries |
£900 (inclusive) |
Since the 21st July, 1937, salaries have been paid at the rates provided for in the Estimates.
Transport.—(1) The President. Prior to the year 1925 an official Lancia car with uniformed drivers was provided for the President of the Executive Council. Since then, however, transport for the President of the Executive Council has not been provided exclusively out of public funds, but an annual allowance, intended to cover all expenses (except wages and uniforms of chauffeurs) incurred by him in using his private car for official purposes has been granted. As from 11th allowa3crate of £500 per annum was fixed, but in the year 1926-27 this was reduced to £350 at which figure it has remained. There is also provision in the Vote for the Department of the President for uniforms of chauffeurs, but since January, 1932, no expenditure has been incurred under this head.
Prior to March, 1934, two members of the Defence Forces acted as guard-chauffeurs for the President of the Executive Council. Since that date, the duty has been assigned to two members of the Gardá Síochána whose present pay amounts to £418 8s. 11d. per annum, in addition to which they receive the normal rent and other allowances to which they are entitled.
(2) Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, Transport per se is not provided for Ministers. Since July, 1927, however, following the assassination of the then Minister for Justice, cars and guards have been provided for the protection and conveyance of Ministers. At first this duty was undertaken by the Army authorities, but in March, 1934, it was transferred to the Gárda Síochána. The cost of the service varies in each particular case, according to the degree of precaution which the Gárda authorities consider necessary, as for instance when in addition to the driver-guard, an escort is detailed to follow and attend the person protected. Normally, however, the allover cost, which includes £319 approximately for pay and allowances of the members of the Gárda Síochána allotted to the combined protection and driving duties, may be taken as approximately £600 per annum per person. I might mention that when circumstances seemed to require it such protective measures have also been extended, since 1932, to certain former members of the Executive Council after they had left office.