Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
20. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the total value of the annual mileage claims for each Minister of State assigned to his Department in 2023 and 2024, respectively; to provide a breakdown for each year of the individual claims; and the annual cost of overnight allowances related to the civilian drivers of each relevant Minister of State in 2023 and 2024. [3259/25]
View answerThere are two Ministers of State assigned to the Department of the Taoiseach - the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State for European Affairs.
The Department recoups all mileage expenditure incurred by Ministers of State that relates to their role with other Departments.
The Department of the Taoiseach incurred no expenditure on mileage in respect of any Minister of State in 2023 and 2024.
The Civilian Drivers for the Minister of State for European Affairs are employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
From January 2024, Garda Drivers were assigned to the Government Chief Whip. The below table details overnight allowances paid by the Department of the Taoiseach in respect of Civilian Drivers for Government Chief Whip prior to this change.
|
Year |
Annual cost of overnight allowances |
|
2023 |
€15,865 |
|
2024* |
€529 |
*This payment, made in 2024, relates to overnight allowances incurred in December 2023.
