Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost to his Department of the senior Minister's car in the period from 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011, to include mileage and car-related expenses paid to the senior Minister; if he will detail the salaries paid to civilian drivers, overtime, subsistence and travel expenses paid to them and all other related information, and the information should include any payment made in 2012 relate to a 2011 claim. [10643/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The accompanying table provides details of the mileage and car-related expenses paid to me by my Department in respect of the use of my private car during the period 1 June to 31 December 2011. As requested by the Deputy, this figure includes payments made to me in 2012 related to a 2011 claim.

I wish to advise the Deputy that in accordance with the Government Decision of 15th March 2011, I may claim mileage expenses for the use of my private car 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.

This arrangement regarding the use of my private car for official business also makes provision for the employment of two civilian drivers. 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 salaries and subsistence expenses paid to the Civilian drivers in respect of the period - 1 June to 31 December 2011 are set out in the following table:

There were no further expenses incurred in respect of overtime for the period in question.

It should be noted that based on Department of Justice, Equality and Defense estimates, the previous average costs for the provision of Ministerial transport was of the order of €280,000 per annum.