Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 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. [9710/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on the 15 March last, the Government decided that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice and Defence would each be provided with a State car. In keeping with that decision, I use my own car for official duties and am paid mileage expenses in respect of official travel at rates set by the Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform.

I am provided with two civilian drivers, who are each paid €631.75 per week. Neither was previously a State employee and neither is in receipt of a State pension.

A breakdown of costs arising from the above are set out in the table below.