THE GOVERNMENT WILL retain at least 20 of the current 54 ministerial car drivers despite a shift to private cars and civilian drivers.

Citing garda sources, the Sunday Business Post reports that State cars and drivers will be retained for former taoisigh attending official occasions, the president, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the minister for justice, the director of public prosecution and the chief justice.

The total number of garda drivers retained will be 12 as well as a further 10 “substitute” drivers.

Some 12 cabinet ministers will lose their ministerial cars and drivers and will have to provide their own car with civilian drivers as a result of one of the first decisions the new government made when it took office that will save about €4 million over a two-year period.

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Government will retain at least 20 garda drivers for State cars

Read more from Niamh Connolly in today’s Sunday Business Post >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.