Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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248. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed mMinisterial Garda drivers to his Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9027/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In common with many Government Departments, my Department has a number of civilian drivers appointed to support my work and that of the two Ministers of State. There are no Garda drivers assigned currently.

Until 2020, there were four drivers assigned and following the creation of the position of Minister of State with responsibility for land use and biodiversity, two additional drivers were engaged. There are currently six drivers in total. 

The 2021 salary cost associated with my Department's civilian drivers is outlined below.