Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Ceisteanna (372)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

407 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he uses a State car; the type of car that is used; how often he has used it since coming to office; the cost of the person employed to drive the car; the cost of their salary; the cost of their vehicle expenses; if the person employed as their driver was previously a State employee; if that person is also in receipt of a State pension; the total cost of the service to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9710/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan)

As the Deputy will be aware, on the 15 March last, the Government decided that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice and Defence would each be provided with a State car. In keeping with that decision, I use my own car for official duties and am paid mileage expenses in respect of official travel at rates set by the Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform.

I am provided with two civilian drivers, who are each paid €631.75 per week. Neither was previously a State employee and neither is in receipt of a State pension.

A breakdown of costs arising from the above are set out in the table below:

Table
Mileage paid in respect of Minister’s car to date	€23,831.43
Combined salary cost of persons employed as civilian drivers	€49,276.50
Subsistence expenses paid to civilian drivers to date	€15,891.74
Total cost of service to date	€88,999.67