Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 952: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [11103/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 953: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of drivers he has working for him and their remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11118/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 952 and 953 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.

Two Civilian Drivers are assigned to each Minister of State. They work a week-on, week off pattern. Their current remuneration with effect from the 1st September 2008 is €667.43 per week.