Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of official cars in use in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the annual cost since 2008 to date in 2010 of replacing these cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35836/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Office Holder cars are provided, pursuant to a long standing arrangement, for the President, Taoiseach, Ministers, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Attorney General, Chief Justice, D.P.P. and former Taoisigh & Presidents. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of official cars in use for the periods requested was as follows:

2008 - 27 cars

2009 - 26 cars

2010 - 27 cars.

Office Holder cars are considered for replacement when, due to age and/or mileage, they are no longer economic to maintain. The cost of providing Office Holder vehicles in the period requested was as follows:

2008 - €509,675.85

2009 - Nil

2010 - Nil

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the milage on each of the current Office Holder cars is as follows:

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost of the provision of State cars for former Taoisigh in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35837/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Office Holder cars are placed at the disposal of Government Office Holders, including former Presidents and Taoisigh, pursuant to a long standing arrangement. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the cost in 2009 for the provision of Office Holder vehicles for former Taoisigh, including fuel and maintenance was €33,867, exclusive of salaries.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of gardaí involved in driving official State cars; the salary cost incurred for this annually since 2008 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35838/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Garda personnel are assigned to the Office Holder fleet as Garda Protection Officers. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 54 Gardaí assigned to drive and protect Office Holders, including the President, members of the Government, the Attorney General, Chief Justice, D.P.P. and former Presidents and Taoisigh.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the salary costs associated with Office Holder drivers for the last two years were as follows:

2008 - €4.6 million

2009 - €4.2 million

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to provide the salary costs for 2010 at this stage.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost of fuel, car depreciation and maintenance of State cars annually since 2008 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy, in relation to the years 2008 and 2009 is as follows:

It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the costs for 2010 at this stage.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of vehicles that are provided to senior civil servants by the State; the number of additional cars not in regular use but available to Government when required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35840/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A very small pool of vehicles is available to the Department for use in transporting official post, documents and other materials. It is also used on occasion to transport officials where otherwise a taxi may be required. There are no surplus or additional vehicles attached to my Department so the question of additional vehicles not in regular use does not arise.