Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent by his Department on drivers and Ministerial transport since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Since the formation of the new government in March 2011 and the revised transport arrangements for Ministers introduced in May 2011 the total cost incurred in the provision of transport to the Minister and Minister of State at my Department amounts to €195,033 to date.

This amount consists of salary costs of €163,950 (including employer's PRSI) for four civilian drivers and €31,083 mileage expenses for official travel undertaken by the Minister and Minister of State. The decision to discontinue the provision of State cars for Cabinet Ministers (with the exception of An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice) has reduced the cost to the Exchequer on average by 65%.