Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he uses a State car; the type of car that is used; how often he has used it since coming to office; the cost of the person employed to drive the car; the cost of their salary; the cost of their vehicle expenses; if the person employed as their driver was previously a State employee; if that person is also in receipt of a State pension; the total cost of the service to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9719/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that I do not have the use of a State car but instead I use my private car for official business. This arrangement is in accordance with the Government Decision of the 15th March 2011 which in effect extended to Cabinet Ministers the arrangements which have been in place for Ministers of State with regard to the use of private cars in place of State cars.

Under this Government Decision, I may claim mileage expenses in accordance with rates and regulations set down by the Department of Finance. The mileage rates payable include capital costs as well as depreciation, comprehensive insurance (Class 1), maintenance and petrol. Please see below details of mileage expenses which I have received to date:

Details of mileage expenses paid to Minister Bruton 1st May 2011 to 17th February 2012.

This arrangement with regard to the use of my private car for official business also makes provision for the employment of two civilian drivers. The salary for a Civilian Driver is €631.75 per week.

Civilian drivers may claim subsistence on the same basis as civil servants with the exception of certain drivers who live more than 24.14kms or more from the G.P.O. Details of subsistence expenses paid to the Civilian drivers are set out below:

Details of subsistence expenses paid to Civilian drivers (Minister Bruton): 1st May 2011 to 17th February 2012.

Both of my drivers are former public servants and both are in receipt of a pension from their former employment. However, in accordance with the relevant legislation governing the respective pension schemes of which they were members, their pensions are not subject to abatement.

The total cost of the service to date, covering all of the above elements including employer PRSI contributions in respect of the civilian drivers, is €67,056.