Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Questions (498)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

533 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality 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. [9720/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

Office Holder cars and designated Garda drivers are provided for the Taoiseach, the Tanáiste and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence for security reasons. These vehicles form part of the overall Garda fleet and as such are operated and maintained by An Garda Síochána. In addition to driving duties, the Garda drivers also provide security for the above mentioned office holders.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, based on the relevant expenditure incurred in 2011, the full year cost of providing these Office Holders with official cars is outlined in the table below:

Office Holder	Car	Maintenance and Fuel (Annual cost)	Salaries of Drivers (Annual cost)	Total
Taoiseach	Mercedes S320	€25,192	€175,239	€200,431
Tanáiste	BMW 5 series	€17,077	€175,239	€192,316
Minister for Justice	Audi A6	€22,916	€175,239	€198,155