Vol. 463 No. 3
318 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare in respect of his Department and each semi-State body and Government-constituted board under the aegis of his Department but with the exception of members of the Government, the persons who are provided with cars at State expense; the offices held by such persons; the number of people employed to drive such cars; the type of use permitted for such cars; and the total cost in each case. [6482/96]
No civil servant in my Department is provided with a car by the State.
Of the three bodies which are in my area of responsibility, only the Chief Executive of the Pensions Board is provided with a car. In accordance with the arrangements recommended in report 30 of the Review Group on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector, the officer is permitted to use the car for private as well as for official purposes. In accordance with the provisions recommended by the Review Group, an annual deduction equivalent to 20 per cent of the list price of the car is made from the salary of the Chief Executive in respect of private use of the car. In this respect, an amount of £2,646 has been deducted annually since 30 July 1991.
I might mention that, as the Pensions Board is a self-funding body, no cost arises to the Exchequer from this arrangement.
The Deputy may wish to note that, in accordance with long standing arrangements, the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Durkan, provides his own car in place of a State car. Under these arrangements, two civilian drivers are employed by the Department.
