My Department has overall responsibility for travel and subsistence matters for the Civil Service and these rates are widely used across the public service and by the Revenue Commissioners.
Motor travel expenses are reviewed according to a well-established methodology agreed by the management side and Civil Service staff representative bodies. The rates take into account a range of factors including insurance and the cost of vehicles. The use of this methodology ensures milage rates remain stable when there are fluctuations in the cost any one element of the cost of operating a vehicle. The rates are reviewed regularly and the most recent review was completed in late 2025.
Government has recognised the impact of the increasing cost of motor fuel and has taken steps to help. As part of an ongoing engagement with the European Commission, Government has further reduced excise on petrol and diesel. When taken with a reduction in the NORA Levy, that means a total reduction of 32 cent off a litre of diesel and 27 cent off a litre of petrol.
The reductions in the excise on fuel for consumers take effect from midnight, Tuesday 14th April 2026 and run until 31st July 2026. The already announced NORA levy reduction will also run until 31st July 2026.
The approach taken by Government directly addresses recent fluctuations in fuel costs across the economy, is a more immediate response to rapid changes in fuel prices, and benefits all those across the economy who are affected.
