Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 850: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [11110/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 851: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of drivers he has working for him and their remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 851 together.

There are no drivers employed directly by me. Under a long-standing arrangement, all Government Ministers 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.

Ministers of State Kitt and Finneran both have 2 civilian drivers who share driving duties on a week-on/week-off basis with an annual salary in each case of €34,826.50.

Staffing arrangements for Minister of State Hoctor are dealt with by the Department of Health and Children.