Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Ceisteanna (575, 576, 577)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

628 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost to her Department of the senior Minister’s car in the period relating to 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011 to include mileage and car related expenses paid to the senior Minister; if she will detail the salaries paid to civilian drivers, overtime, subsistence and travel expenses paid to them and all other related information, and the information should include any payment made in 2012 related to a 2011 claim. [10637/12]

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

632 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of mileage clocked up on a monthly basis for which expenses were claimed for all Ministers attached to her Department since March 2011; the amount claimed in mileage expenses on a monthly basis for all Ministers attached to her Department since March 2011, and the full list of trips for which mileage expenses were claimed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10796/12]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

648 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a breakdown of costs incurred in the provision of transport to Cabinet Ministers in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11900/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 628, 632 and 648 together.

In line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on ministerial appointments, since 1 May 2011, I employ two civilian drivers on a week on/week off basis to drive my private car on official business. They receive a salary of €631.75 per week and are not entitled to claim overtime. However, they are entitled to claim subsistence payments in respect of certified official travel at the appropriate Civil Service rates and under the regulations applying to travel and subsistence. A total of €2,476.41 has been paid since 2011 in this regard. The information requested relating to mileage claims for the use of my personal car on official business is set out below:

Minister's Mileage Claims

Month	Number of miles	Amount
May 2011	1,803	€1,713.75
June 2011	3,170	€2,533.79
July 2011	2,563	€1,173.60
August 2011	2,471	€1,131.47
September 2011	2,921	€1,337.53
October 2011	3,456	€1,582.50
November 2011	2,387	€1,093.01
December 2011	1,246	€570.44
January 2012	920	€874.46
Total	20,937	€12,010.65