Almost one and a half million euros were spent on car leasing between the beginning of 2014 and the present, data tabled in Parliament shows.

The figures were published by Minister Helena Dalli after a parliamentary question was tabled by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi.

Information about cars leased for use in 26 different governmental entities within 5 separate Ministries was provided by Ministers Helena Dalli, Edward Scicluna, Owen Bonnici, Jose Herrera, and Konrad Mizzi. Michael Farrugia was also asked for these details but explained that no money was spent on car leasing by his ministry.

Also, Konrad Mizzi was the only minister who did not provide details with regards to which entities leased cars, how much each entity spent, dates of leasing, or any other information which all of the above-mentioned ministers presented. In his answer to the parliamentary question he stated that eight different entities in the Ministry for Tourism spent €6,787 a month on car leasing – to date that would come to 57 months, and a grand total of €386,859.

The Ministry for Justice, Culture, and Local Government spent the most on car leasing where costs rose to €650,031.28, with Heritage Malta, the Public Broadcasting Services Ltd, and Kunsill Malti Ghall Arti spending the most at €280,053, €104,558.30, and €70,009.20 respectively.

There was also a significant increase in costs after the beginning of 2017, although it is possible that this could be attributed to preparations for Valletta 2018 – European Capital of Culture.

According to the data provided by the aforementioned ministers, between 35-45 cars were leased yearly, with durations and costs varying from five days at €62.46, to a full year for almost €10,000 per car.