Ministers of State received almost €500,000 in expenses last year, according to figures released by Government Departments.
The information, issued in reply to a series of written parliamentary questions from Mr Pádraig McCormack (FG, Galway West) showed that 15 Ministers of State received an estimated €456,215.99 in travel, mileage, subsistence and other expenses.
As part of these expenses each Minister of State receives a monthly fixed payment of €1,014. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in his written reply stated that all expenses were calculated in accordance with guidelines set down by the Department of Finance for Ministers of State.
The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, declined to give statistics about expenses for Minister of State, Ms Síle de Valera, but said the information was being compiled, and "I will forward the information directly to the deputy".
The reply from the Minister for Justice merely stated that Minister of State, Mr Willie O'Dea, did not receive any expenses for January 2003. The Departments of Social and Family Affairs and Arts, Sport and Tourism do not have Ministers of State. Ministers of State use their own cars for official travel and receive a mileage allowance, and salary for two drivers. Cabinet Ministers and the Government chief whip have State cars with Garda drivers.
Mr Frank Fahey, Minister of State for Labour Affairs, received €43,811.45; Mr John Browne, Minister of State for Communications, Marine and Natural Re- sources, €45,838.50 for travel and subsistence; Mr Tom Parlon, Minister of State for Finance, €37,528.81; Mr Liam Aylward, Minister of State for Agriculture, travel and subsistence expenses of €38,582.04; Mr Noel Treacy, Minister of State for Agriculture, €35,353.97 for travel and subsistence costs; Mr Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, €30,461 including a mileage allowance of €22,132 and subsistence of €8,329; Mr Dick Roche, Minister of State for European Affairs, €31,878.30 including €11,276.76 in subsistence payments by the Department of Foreign Affairs and €20,601.54 from the Department of the Taoiseach; Dr Jim McDaid, Minister of State for Transport, €24,821 in mileage, €2,028 for foreign travel; Ms Mary Hanafin, Government chief whip €8,888.81 for travel and subsistence costs; Mr Michael Ahern, Minister of State for Trade and Commerce, €28,152.81; Mr Ivor Callely, Minister of State for Health, €37,279.47; Mr Tim O'Malley, Minister of State for Health, €37,655.27; Mr Brian Leni- han, Minister of State with responsibility for children, €28,600.32; Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, Minister of State for Environment, €51,089; Mr Noel Ahern, Minister of State for Environment, € 15,931.
