Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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372. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total cost of Ministerial transport in her Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date 2013; the number of drivers employed in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30559/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On taking office, this Government reformed the transport arrangement for Ministers which has radically reduced the cost of travel. The Government decision involved confining the use of State cars from 1 May 2011 to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence. As a result, the average cost of providing transport has been reduced by 65% - from an average cost of €280,000 per minister in 2010 to a current annual estimate of €100,000 per annum.

The previous practice whereby all Ministers were provided with State cars and Garda drivers fell within the remit of the Department of Justice and in this regard details of the costs involved in respect of 2010 and the first four months of 2011 would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.

The total cost of ministerial transport in my Department for 2011, 2012 and 2013 is outlined in a table.

The cost includes mileage for the use of my own car for official business and remuneration for two civilian drivers.