EUR1.6m spent on transport for junior ministers

Transport expenses for the 17 Ministers of State have cost almost €1.6 million since the formation of the Government last year, according to figures released this week.

The €1,585,675.44 included the cost of drivers' salaries and subsistence, and mileage expenses. The highest cost was for the Limerick-East TD Mr Tim O'Malley, Minister of State for Health at €149,075. The lowest expense was €8,000 for Donegal North-East TD Dr Jim McDaid, Minister of State for Transport, which was listed only as mileage. Two weeks ago it emerged that providing State cars for Cabinet Ministers cost the exchequer €2.9 million, an average of €170,000 per Minister. Ministers of State provide their own cars and drivers and are then reimbursed.

The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell told Mr Seán Crowe (SF, Dublin South-West) that he had no plans to review the longstanding arrangements for the use of State cars, which are also provided to the President, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, and former Taoisigh and Presidents.

Mr Crowe had asked the Minister "in view of the high costs", to restrict the use of State cars by the Cabinet to "activities connected with their work as Ministers rather than personal, party or constituency business.

The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Ms Mary Hanafin is assigned a State car in her role as Government Chief Whip and the estimated cost for this last year was €156,000 including the provision of garda drivers, fuel and maintenance costs and depreciation.

Travel for other Ministers at the Department of Health were €118,231 for Mr Ivor Callely and €113,665 for Mr Brian Lenihan including drivers' salaries.

At the Department of Environment, transport expenses for Minister of State Mr Noel Ahern were listed as €44,329 and €100,605 for Donegal-based Mr Pat Gallagher.

The Minister of State for Finance, Mr Tom Parlon had transport expenses of €120,527.79 while costs for Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea were €31,844.08.

Ms Síle de Valera's expenses at the Department of Education were €27,747.29 while costs for Mr John Browne, Minister of State for Communications and Marine were €43,313.25. Department of Agriculture travel costs were €128,889 for Mr Noel Treacy and €118,546 for Mr Liam Aylward.

Travel expenses for Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt were €111,408.93 and €97,461.57 for Mr Dick Roche.

At the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mr Michael Ahern's transport costs were €139,655.34 while Mr Frank Fahey's were €95,277.25