Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the policies in place in her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [15199/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department operates a travel pass scheme encouraging staff members to use public transport in lieu of car transport. The travel pass scheme was introduced in 2002 under the terms and conditions set down by the Department of Finance and has been made available to the staff of my Department since then. Under arrangements agreed with the Revenue Commissioners, it allows employees to forego salary to the value of the travel pass, thus reducing individual liability for income tax and PRSI. Some 356 staff members currently avail of the scheme. Official travel by staff members is continually monitored to ensure that such travel is kept to the minimum commensurate with the need for them to effectively perform their functions. Where feasible, staff members use public transport when travelling on official business.