asked the Minister for Health the names, addresses and qualifications of drivers employed by his Ministers of State; the allowances and other expenses paid; and the estimated cost of travel in 1983 under the new arrangements in comparison with the cost of the provision of State cars in 1983.
Written Answers. - Minister of State's Drivers.
376.
The Deputy will appreciate that, in the interest of security, the names and addresses of drivers should not be divulged. As the drivers concerned did not take up duty until 1 December 1983 no payment has been made to date. The annual salary payable to each driver is £9,000 per annum. Expenditure on subsistence may not exceed £3,000 per annum. I understand that the cost of providing official transport for Ministers is not kept in Garda records in such a way as to enable the comparative cost sought to be given.