Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she uses a State car; the type of car that is used; how often she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [9711/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I do not use a State car. In accordance with a Cabinet decision in May 2011, the use of State cars is now confined to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice & Law Reform. The transport arrangements applying to other Cabinet Ministers are in line with those already in place for Ministers of State. In that regard, I can confirm to the Deputy that I use my own personal car for official business in line with the rules relevant to transport and arrangements for Ministers and Ministers of State.

In line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on ministerial appointments I employ two civilian drivers on a week on/week off basis to drive my private car. They receive a salary of €631.75 per week and are entitled to travel and subsistence payments in respect of certified official travel at the appropriate Civil Service rates and regulations applying to travel and subsistence.

Both drivers are retired State employees and are in receipt of an occupational pension in respect of this previous employment.

The total cost of the service since coming to office, including remuneration, is €68,326.60.