Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Ceisteanna (138, 139, 140)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

180 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to his Department of the senior Minister’s car in the period 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011, to include mileage and car-related expenses paid to the senior Minister; if he will detail the salaries paid to civilian drivers, overtime, subsistence and travel expenses paid to them and all other related information, including any payment made in 2012 relating to a 2011 claim. [10639/12]

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

188 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of mileage clocked up on a monthly basis for which expenses were claimed by all Ministers attached to his Department since March 2011; the amount claimed in mileage expenses on a monthly basis for all Ministers attached to his Department since March 2011, and the full list of trips for which mileage expenses were claimed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10799/12]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

275 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of costs incurred in the provision of transport to Cabinet Ministers in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180, 188 and 275 together.

In March 2011, the Government agreed new measures for Cabinet Ministers in relation to the provision of official transport to take effect from 1st May 2011. Between the formation of the Government on the 9th March 2011 until the 30th, April 2011 each senior Minister was provided with a state car. From the 1st, May 2011 in line with the revised procedures for cabinet ministers. Ministers are now required to provide their own transport.

As there is extensive travel involved in undertaking the duties of the office of Minister and Minister of State, and in line with the practice adopted by previous Governments, travel expenses are claimed at intervals by way of a statement provided by each Minister or Minister of State certifying the travel undertaken in connection with the office. I am provided with two civilian drivers who are paid a wage of €631.75 per week and any relevant subsistence allowance in respect of their official duties (the total subsistence paid in 2011 amounted to €1,468.11). Between 1st May and December 2011 I claimed €10,778.74 mileage expenses. Minister of State Ciaran Cannon claimed €21,465.82 mileage expenses between 9th March and 31st December 2011. The basis on which Ministers record their mileage does not require them to list individual trips.