I do not currently have any Ministerial Garda drivers employed in my Department.
The appointment of civilian drivers in my Department are made in line with the Government guidelines “Instructions to HR Managers on Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil” and the “Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 33rd Dáil’’.
I have responsibility for both the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Department of Social Protection meets the cost of one of my civilian drivers and one civilian driver for Minister of State O’Brien, who has been assigned certain responsibilities in this Department.
The annual salary for the two civilian drivers concerned is €38,678.95 each per annum.