Seán Crowe
Question:454 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the State of providing transport expenses to each individual Minister of State since the formation of the Government. [22949/03]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Transport.
The total cost to date, excluding salaries of civilian drivers, of providing transport for the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, is approximately €31,844.09. However, the Minister of State is not assigned a State car. The total cost is broken down as follows:
|
Minister |
Mileage €16,493.05 |
|
Driver 1 |
Travel & Subsistence €6,050.63 |
|
Driver 2 |
Travel & Subsistence €7,344.68 |
|
Driver 3* |
Travel & Subsistence €1,955.73 |
*This person was working for the Minister of State upon his appointment to this Department until October 2002 when he resigned.
Each driver is in receipt of a salary of €473.54 per week. The Minister of State at the Departments of Defence and of the Taoiseach, Deputy Han afin, in her capacity as Government Chief Whip, is assigned a State car. It is estimated that the annual cost of providing this State car in 2002 was €156,000. This figure includes the cost of fuel, maintenance, depreciation and the costs associated with the provision of Garda drivers. The Minister for Health and Children will provide details separately in respect of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.