To ask the Minister of the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact of the increase in (i) fuel costs; and (ii) fuel duty on the departmental budget and the realisation of efficiency targets; and what action he has taken to mitigate against these increased costs.

Fuel costs relating to DOE are primarily in respect of vehicle usage. Most of the expenditure relating to the fuel costs associated with the Department's buildings is paid by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

No formal assessment has been made yet regarding the impact of higher vehicle fuel costs/duty on the departmental budget. However, although these additional costs will be minimal, my Department will continue to monitor non-salary running costs during the year with a view to taking necessary action. This could, for example, lead to a reduction in the number and re-prioritisation of journeys made by my officials.

There will be no real impact on the realisation of departmental efficiency targets as savings in respect of these actions have already been removed from the Department's baselines as part of the Budget 2008-11 process.