asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in respect of Ministers and Ministers of State with State cars; (1) the cost of this transport in the year ending 1 December 1984 or nearest date; and (2) the estimated cost in the year ending 31 December 1985.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Transport.
831.
Limerick East): As indicated in reply to previous Questions, it is difficult to be precise about such costings, but, on the basis of a detailed analysis carried out early in 1983 and allowing for (a) subsequent increases in pay and allowances and car costs such as fuel etc. and (b) savings due to reduced usage and smaller cars, it is calculated that the cost for the year ended 1 December 1984 was, on average, £78,000 per user.
In relation to the year ending 31 December 1985, the cost would reflect changes in pay and allowances of drivers, in car costs and in the level of usage during that period. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide more than a tentative estimate which is that there may be an increase over the 1984 figure of the order of 5 per cent - 7 per cent.