Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of money spent on ministerial transport in his Department for each of the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. [31592/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The cost of ministerial transport for 2009, 2010 and 2011 was €111,495.46, €101,973.61 and €158,723.17 respectively. These figures include the salary of the civilian drivers, their subsistence costs and the amount of travel and subsistence paid to the Minister and the Minister of State.

The Government decided that with effect from the 1st, May 2011 Cabinet ministers would no longer be provided with a State car and garda drivers as was the practice in the past. The new procedures are that a Cabinet Minister provides the car and can claim mileage expenses similar to the practice that applies to the position of Minister of State. I understand the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) estimate the new procedures will result in a saving in the region of €4m to the exchequer.