Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn’s high mileage claims last summer have been defended by his spokeswoman, who said they were strictly in accordance with the arrangements outlined by the Government.
Documents published on the investigative website thestory.ie show a total of 12 claims either to or from Galway. Half of them specify the destination as Roundstone, Co Galway, where Mr Quinn has a holiday home.
Mr Quinn's spokeswoman said he was often required to interrupt his holidays to attend official functions and undertake Government business. The trips took place in June, July and August of last year, with one in October.
She said entries in Mr Quinn's electronic diary did not reflect all official uses of the car, in reference to trips taken on days when no official business was listed.
"In order to carry out his considerable workload at the Department of Education and Skills, the Minister carries confidential official papers in the car and works while on route to his destinations. This is considered to be official travel," the spokeswoman said.
Ministerial drivers are entitled to claim for subsistence when on official business. Most of the newly-appointed Government ministers had to vacate their ministerial limousines by May Day last year, when their entitlement to avail of State cars and Garda drivers ended.
Civilian drivers, paid by the State, now operate Minister's own cars and get travel expenses.
The spokeswoman said the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform had estimated that, on the basis of information received from a range of departments, the altered transport arrangements for ministers represented an approximate saving of 65 per cent on the previous system.
"All of Minister Quinn's claims for expenses and mileage are strictly in accordance with the arrangements outlined by the government," she said.
"The Minister is often required to interrupt his holidays to attend official functions and undertake government business."