Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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597. To ask the Minister for Health 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. [30555/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Health and the Ministers of State are all required to use their own cars. The total cost of Ministerial transport in my Department since 2010 and the number of drivers employed is detailed below:

Total cost of Ministerial Transport

Number of drivers employed

My Department was not responsible for paying the cost of Garda drivers and State cars etc. under previous arrangements in place in 2010. However, on 25th April 2012 my colleague, Mr Noonan, T.D., Minister for Finance, in response to a Parliamentary Question, indicated that the average cost of transport for Ministers under that previous arrangement was €280,000 per annum per Minister. This appears to be significantly more expensive than current arrangements.