Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of drivers for each individual junior Minister in his Department and their remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11117/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of drivers he has working for him and their remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11131/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.

There are no drivers employed directly by me. Under a long-standing arrangement, all Government Ministers and certain other State officials are provided with a State car which is driven by a member of An Garda Síochána from a pool of Gardaí which are allocated on a full-time basis to Ministers.

These Gardaí provide personal protection in addition to their driving duties. The cost of this service is funded from the Vote of An Garda Síochána and individual rates of remuneration are not readily available. My colleague, Deputy Noel Ahern, Minister of State for Integration, has two civilian drivers who work on a week on-week off basis. There is a one-point pay scale for civilian drivers, who are paid €667.43 per week.