Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Questions (254)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

284 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he uses a State car; the type of car that is used; how often he has used it since coming to office; the cost of the person employed to drive the car; the cost of their salary; the cost of their vehicle expenses; if the person employed as their driver was previously a State employee; if that person is also in receipt of a State pension; the total cost of the service to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9721/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

The Deputy may be aware that since 1 May 2011 all Cabinet Minister with the exception of Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Law Reform now use their own cars on official business. All Ministers are now paid for official mileage up to 96,540 kilometres [or 60,000 miles] per annum. Ministers of State have used their own cars on official business since 1984.

The travel rates payable depend on the car engine size.

There is no payment for the cost of a car used on official business and there are no fixed payments towards changing a vehicle.

The travel rates are designed to compensate for the use of an individual's car on official business. The expenses that are covered by the motor travel formula can be broken into two categories; the overhead and the running costs. The overhead costs include depreciation, insurance costs, AA/RAC membership, driving licence and car tax. The running costs include the cost of maintenance, tyres, oil and petrol. This is the same basis used within the civil service and revenue.

There are two civilan drivers employed to drive my car. The salary of each driver is €631.75 per week and they work week on week off.

In relation to milage expenses I have claimed a total of €8,799 since taking office.

For information purposes I have included details of the current Ministerial travel rates effective as from 5th March 2009.

Ministerial Travel Rates

Effective from 5 March 2009
Rate per Miles
Official Motor Travel in a calendar year	Engine Capacity up to 1200cc	Engine Capacity 1201cc to 1500cc	Engine Capacity 1501cc to 2000cc	Engine Capacity 2001cc and over
0-4,000 miles	62.94 cent	74.42 cent	95.05 cent	114.06 cent
4,001 miles and over	34.13 cent	38.00 cent	45.79 cent	54.95 cent

Rates per Kilometres

Official Motor Travel in a calendar year	Engine Capacity up to 1200cc	Engine Capacity 1201cc to 1500cc	Engine Capacity 1501cc to 2000cc	Engine Capacity 2001cc and over
Up to 6,437km	39.12 cent	46.25 cent	59.07 cent	70.89 cent
6,438km and over	21.22 cent	23.62 cent	28.46 cent	34.15 cent