MORE THAN €14 million has been spent on ministerial transport since the start of 2011.

The figures have been revealed in answers to a series of parliamentary questions, tabled by Fianna Fáil’s Willie O’Dea. He asked for figures for the years 2010 to 2013.

However, as Tánaiste Joan Burton notes…

“On taking office, this Government reformed the transport arrangement for Ministers which has radically reduced the cost of travel.

“The Government decided to confine the use of State cars from 1 May 2011 to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.

As a result, the average cost of providing transport has been reduced by 65 per cent — from an average cost of €280,000 per minister in 2010 to a current annual estimate of €100,000 per annum.

Other Cabinet ministers are now expected to use their own car for official engagements, and are assigned two civilian drivers. The same practice applies for ministers of state.

The Department of Justice had, by far, the highest expenditure.

Here’s how much was spent during the last three years…

• 2011 €4.595 million
• 2012 €2.201 million
• 2013 €2.160 million

However, the figures show a marked decrease on the previous year’s…

• 2010 €7.503 million

The Department of Transport didn’t provide figures to Deputy O’Dea, with Minister Paschal Donohoe saying the details were still being worked on.

Some of the expenditure relates to the previous Fianna Fáil-led administration.

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