asked the Minister for Education the names, addresses and qualifications of drivers employed by her Minister 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 for State Drivers.
463.
1. The names and addresses of the drivers employed by the Minister of State at the Department of Education are: Mr. Thomas Counihan, High Street, Macroom, County Cork; Mr. Noel Healy, Coolmakee, Farnanes, County Cork.
Formal qualifications have not been specified in respect of these appointments.
2. Allowances and expenses as follows are payable: (a) salary at a rate equivalent to £172.50 per week per driver; (b) subsistence allowances to drivers at rates approved for public servants subject to a maximum of £3,000 per annum per driver; (c) a travel allowance to Minister of State at rates per mile which relate to the horsepower of the car and the miles travelled up to a maximum of 60,000 miles per annum. The maximum amount allowable at current rates for a car of 12-16 horsepower is £14,172 in one year.
3. The cost of travel in 1983 in the case of the Minister of State under the new arrangements, which came into effect on 1 November 1983, is estimated at £6,400. My Department are not in a position to make a comparison between the estimated travel costs in 1983 and 1982 in the context referred to in the question from the Deputy.