Kenny Slashes Ministerial Transport And Staffing

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has slashed the State's provision of ministerial transport and staffing within the first week of coming to office.

Mr Kenny made the announcement as part of the Programme for Government, saying they will produce "very substantial savings", which he said would more than halve the cost of transport for Ministers and provide a reduction of 25% in the permitted staffing of Ministers’ Offices and 33% for Minsters of State.

Under the new proposals, Garda drivers and State cars will be retained only for the President, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice and Equality for security reasons.

Ministers, together with the Ceann Comhairle and the Attorney General, would now have to supply their own cars and civilian drivers would be hired, as has been the case for Ministers of State for some years.

In addition, official cars and Garda drivers would no longer be provided to former Taoisigh and former Presidents (except in respect of important State occasions), meaning Bertie Ahern, Albert Reynolds, John Bruton, Garret FitzGerald and Brian Cowen would now have to find their own way around, as will Mary Robinson.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the new Ministerial Transport arrangements could save the Government up to €4 million. "The Department of Finance has…estimated that the average annual cost per Minister of State, including drivers’ pay, is approximately €120,200. Using the expenditure figures for 2010, the average cost of providing an Office Holder car is approximately €280,000. On that basis, it is estimated that the arrangements accepted by Government could potentially yield a saving of the order of €4m per annum.

"I am delighted that the Government has been able to act so quickly in this area and to fulfil the commitments it has made in the Programme for Government."

The new arrangements will come into effect for Ministers at the latest on 1 May, and in 3 months in the case of former Taoisigh and Presidents.

Mr Kenny said: "The effect of this will be the release of a substantial number of Gardaí to regular duties, as well as more than halving the cost of Ministerial transport."

This decision does not affect the provision of a State car to the Chief Justice and the current Director of Public Prosecutions.

Under the new scheme, the staffing of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State is being reduced by two members across the board.

Mr Kenny said the combination of the measures would make a significant impact on the cost of Government and reflected the determination of the Government to establish a momentum for political reform.

(DW/KMcA)