The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other members of the Cabinet are spending more time using the Government jets than their predecessors but at a cheaper cost.

New figures published this evening show the cost of using the two aircraft so far this year was almost €600,000. This is compared to almost €640,000 in 2010.

The Department of Defence operates two aircraft to transport Ministers around Europe and to other destinations such as the United States and Africa.

The Gulfstream 4 operates long-range, while the Learjet does more short-haul. The two have different costs per hour.

This evening the Department of Defence has published usage statistics since 2008.

Looking at the first 4 months of this year - the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers have spent just over 150 hours on board in 34 trips costing just under €600,000.

In the same 4 months in 2010 the previous government spent 116 hours on board in 30 trips when the cost was higher at nearly €640,000.