Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
462 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual cost of the new scheme introduced for the provision of drivers for Ministers in 2011 and to date in 2012; if he will provide a comparison of the annual cost of the provision of civilian drivers and the Ministers using their own cars with the previous scheme of Garda drivers and State cars.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25371/12]
View answerSince the introduction of the revised transport arrangements for Ministers in May 2011 the total cost incurred in the provision of transport to the Minister in my Department to end 2011 was €63,580. The cost to date for 2012 is €41,128.
As stated by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the decision to discontinue the provision of State cars for Cabinet Ministers (with the exception of An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice) has reduced the cost to the Exchequer on average by 65%.
