Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the policies in place in his Department to encourage the use of public transport by staff travelling to and from work; the policies in place to encourage staff to use public transport when travelling on Departmental business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department participates in the scheme known as the Travel Pass Scheme or Tax Saver Commuter Ticket Scheme, which encourages staff to use public transport. This scheme allows staff to purchase an annual travel pass for their preferred mode of public transport and to pay for the ticket over twelve months by salary sacrifice. Savings to staff arise because tickets are not subject to tax or PRSI. The Department advertises the scheme to all staff by office notice each year. Two hundred and five staff members availed of the scheme this year.

The Department also participates in the Cycle to Work Scheme, which, although not directly related to the use of public transport, does encourage staff to cycle to and from work. Apart from improved health and fitness levels, cycling helps to reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.

The Department's policy on travel and subsistence recognizes that public transport is normally the most economic means of transport available and should be availed of by staff travelling on official business wherever possible. The Department is not obliged to pay mileage rates where an officer uses his/her car or motor cycle when public transport could have been used without detriment to the public interest for the same journey. Staff may be authorized to use their own cars on official business in the following circumstances:

(a) where no suitable public transport is available;

(b) where public transport is available only at equal or greater expense;

(c) where the use of public transport would result in the loss of official time.