325 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide mileage payments made annually since 2007 to staff for travel purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3949/11]

The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). Details of mileage payments paid to officers in the Department for the period in question are included in the table. In addition to the Department of Finance guidelines, the Department of Foreign Affairs also operates its own internal travel guidelines and practises which ensure cost effective travel practises, both in Headquarters and throughout our network of 76 diplomatic missions abroad. The central aims of the travel policy are to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.

326 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Ministers of State in his Department have drivers; the salary provided to each driver annually since 2007; the expenses provided to the Ministers of State for use of their car or mileage annually since 2007; the familial relationship between the Minister and the driver if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3964/11]

The Department of Foreign Affairs employs two Civilian Drivers for each of the two appointed Ministers of State. Details of expenditure on salary and allowances during each of the past four years are contained in the following tables. I am not aware of any familial relationship between any of the Ministers of State and any of their Drivers.