Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2017
97. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the current system under which mileage is calculated for business journeys undertaken in a car creates an incentive to drive greater distance; his plans to undertake a review of this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40215/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe motor travel rates reimburse an officer only for the costs incurred in using their own cars for official business and are not deemed to be a source of emolument or profit. Officers are authorised to use their own cars on official business only where no suitable public transport (i.e., train or bus) is available or available only at equal or greater expense or where the use of public transport would result in the loss of official time which it is necessary to avoid. Where an officer is permitted to use a private car in a work setting it is incumbent on the line manger to ensure that travel is by the shortest practicable route while taking account of value for money.
Paragraph 2.28 of the Haddington Road Agreement provided for a review of Travel and Subsistence arrangements. In respect of mileage rates and with effect from 1 April 2017, a number of changes were introduced to the motor travel rates. The revised arrangements were agreed with Staff Side Representatives and were designed to reflect the changes in motoring technology, road conditions, commuter behaviour, and car ownership patterns.
The changes introduced include:
1. An increase in the number of distance bands from two to four allowing a more nuanced compensation regime focused on officers who do significant work related driving;
2. A lower recoupment rate for the first 1,500 km;
3. The formula for calculating mileage now assumes an officer replaces their car every four years rather than every three years.
The agreement with Staff Side Representatives means that the current system will remain in place for three years. At that stage the system will be further reviewed in light of the conditions then applying to business needs and motoring technology.
