Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Ceisteanna (674)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

709 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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 his or her salary; the cost of his vehicle expenses; if the person employed as his driver was previously a State employee; if that person also is in receipt of a State pension; the total cost of the service to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9724/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I do not use a State car. In line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on ministerial appointments I employ two civiilian drivers on a week on/week off basis to drive my private car which I lease. The drivers were recruited through an open competitive interview process. They receive a salary of €631.75 per week and are entitled to travel and subsistence payments in respect of certified official travel at the appropriate Civil Service rates and regulations applying to travel and subsistence. The Department does not disclose information on the previous careers or pensions of its employees.

In relation to the total cost of the use of a car in my Ministerial capacity the costs of running the car is the ‘mileage' claimed — information on the mileage claimed and other travel expenses paid to me for the period March 2011 to January 2012 is available on the Department's website at the link Ministers expenses. Mileage covers the cost of leasing the car, fuel, insurance, etc.