635 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department paid in 2006 for car mileage expenses; the amount paid to cover rail and bus ticket expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9781/07]

My Department paid out 1,151,848 euro in car mileage expenses in 2006, of which 639,420 euro related to driver testing costs. A further 39,000 euro approximately was paid to cover rail and bus ticket expenses in 2006.

636 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the cost of energy used running his Department in the year 2002; the cost of doing so in 2006; the quantity of energy used in each of these years to which this cost relates; and his plans to reduce this usage as a contribution to meeting concerns regarding climate change. [9830/07]

My Department was established in May 2002 and assumed functions which had previously been performed by a number of other Departments. Since then the Department has taken on responsibility for certain functions in the area of Maritime Transport and Safety, including the Irish Coast Guard. A number of functions relating to road safety have also been transferred to the newly established Road Safety Authority.

These changes in functions, together with the consequential changes in numbers and locations of departmental buildings, prevent direct comparisons in energy consumption and related costs being made between 2002 and 2006. Data relating to the quantity of energy consumed are not readily available. However, the total energy costs incurred by my Department in 2002 and 2006 were €98,450.44 and €236,290.54 respectively. My Department is currently involved with OPW in a project aimed at the reduction of energy usage in all our premises.