378 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the annual subvention from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, now his Department, to the DIR from 1996 to 2003; the dates payments were made; and the purpose of same. [16832/03]

Voluntary registration of driving instructors has been promoted since 1996 through financial support for the voluntary driving instructor register of Ireland. Initial financial support was provided from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Irish Insurance Federation. Funding was dependent on a minimum membership of 300 instructors.