392 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of civil and public servants who have signed up for the cycle to work scheme; the cost of the scheme to date in 2010. [7568/10]

Since the introduction of the cycle to work scheme in my Department a total of 8 civil servants have signed up to avail of the scheme. All staff who availed of the scheme signed up in 2009. There is no discernible cost to the Department's vote in administering the scheme. The bicycles and equipment are paid for by way of salary sacrifice. There would be minor costs in processing forms and in carrying the upfront costs until such time as those are offset by the gradual deductions from salary. Neither of these is quantifiable. The only material cost to the State is the tax relief inherent in the scheme. The total amount sanctioned to date by way of cycle purchases for staff of this Department is €5,133.