The State spends an average of €580,000 a year on buying ministerial cars, according to figures released by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
The statistics also show that the running cost to operate the ministerial cars this year, up to the end of October, was €403,929, without drivers.
Mr McDowell had previously stated that the overall yearly cost of running the fleet, including drivers, was €2.9 million.
This works out at an average of €170,000 for each minister and others entitled to the use of a car and driver, including the President, Attorney General, Ceann Comhairle, Chief Whip, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, and former taoisigh and presidents.
Mr McDowell informed Labour TD Mr Emmet Stagg (Kildare north) in a written Dáil reply that, so far this year, the Government has spent €125,970.80 on purchasing new cars, but will replace nine more cars at a cost of about €550,000.
Since 1998, almost €3.5 million has been spent on the ministerial fleet. Last year, €597,438.75 was spent on cars, while €677,277.22 was spent in 2001. The figure for 1998 was €480,350.35
In previous written replies to parliamentary questions, Mr McDowell explained that, in general, ministerial cars were considered for replacement when they were either two years old and/or had done more than 100,000 miles.
He pointed out that State cars were made available under long-standing arrangements. Orders are due to be placed for seven Mercedes E240, a Mercedes E320 and a Volvo S80 2.5T.
