Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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426. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of Ministerial transport in his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date 2013; the number of drivers employed in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30552/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department has spent the sums of €130,946, €168,083, € 220,469 and € 103,676 on Ministerial transport arrangements for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 to date 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, are included in the above figures. The above figures also include similar costs, including the costs of two drivers, for Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan for 2012 onwards and for former Ministers of State Willie Penrose for 2011 and Michael Finneran for 2 010 and 2011. My predecessor’s transport costs under the previous scheme of Garda drivers and State cars for the years 2010 and 2011 are a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality.