Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Ceisteanna (429)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

462 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government 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. [9715/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

In line with Government policy, I do not use a state car. My Department has employed two civilian drivers since May 2011 for driving duties in my own car in line with approved arrangements. Details of the salaries and the travelling and subsistence expenses paid to the two drivers since their appointment are set out in the following table:

	Salary	Travel and Subsistence	Total
Driver 1 —Appointed 1.5.2011	26,533.92	3,594.88	30,128.80
Driver 2 —Appointed 4.5.2011	26,281.22	5,318.60	31,599.82
Total	52,815.14	8,913.48	61,728.62

Both civilian drivers are former state employees and both are in receipt of a pension.