asked the Minister for Agriculture the names, addresses and qualifications of drivers employed by his Minister of State; the allowances and other expenses paid; and the estimated cost of travel in 1983 under the new arrangements in comparison with the cost of the provision of State cars in 1983.
Written Answers. - Ministers of State Drivers.
440.
Following is the information requested:
Minister of State, Mr. Paul Connaughton — Mr. J. Gavin, Ballyderney, Mount Bellew, County Galway; Mr. T. Carroll, Barnswellgrove, Mount Bellew, County Galway.
Minister of State, Mr. P. Hegarty — Mr. C. O'Brien, Loughcorrig, Midleton, County Cork; and Mr. L. Garde, Geragh, Midleton, County Cork.
There are no formal qualifications required for the position. Drivers are paid an annual salary of £9,000. Subsistence allowances are paid at the appropriate rate for absences from home on official duty subject to a limit of £3,000 per annum. There is no entitlement to further remuneration.
I understand that the cost of providing official transport for Ministers is not kept in Garda records in such a way as to enable the comparative costs sought to be given.