Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent of money spent on ministerial transport in his Department for each of the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. [31593/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department has spent the sums of €220,174, €130,946 and €168,083 on ministerial transport arrangements for 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively.

In line with Government policy, I do not use a state car. My Department has employed two civilian drivers since May 2011 for driving duties in my own car in line with approved arrangements, and their salary and subsistence costs, together with the mileage costs paid to me last year, are included in the above figure for 2011. The above figures also include similar payments made to former Ministers of State Willie Penrose, Michael Finneran and Michael Kitt during their tenure in my Department for the years in question.

My predecessor's transport costs under the previous scheme of Garda drivers and State cars for the years in question are a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality.