asked the Minister for Local Government if he has yet considered the report on the matter of the compilation of the voters' register submitted to his Department early last year by the Dublin Corporation and, if so, whether he will increase the State grant to allow the corporation to carry out the many recommendations contained in the report particularly those in connection with staff salaries and an extension of the time allotted for the completion of the register.

The report referred to by the Deputy has been considered and the question of introducing legislation to increase the percentage rates of recoupment is under examination.

The question of promoting legislation to extend the time allowed for the compilation of the register is also receiving attention.

The remuneration of the staff employed by the city manager and town clerk in Dublin on registration work is a matter for determination by him.

Would the Minister be prepared to consider within that also the question he promised to consider earlier of issuing voters' cards or numbers?

That is a matter entirely for the local authority. If they wish to pay for the issue of them, I am certain we would have no great objection.

If the Minister is contemplating legislation in this respect, would he give some consideration at the same time to the situation which has arisen in the City of Dublin regarding certain persons who had voted for many years being dropped from the register? I think it is a matter which could be covered by the same type of legislation.

I am afraid it is a separate question, but it is a matter which will be considered when we come to the legislation.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to sanction an increase in remuneration to the members of the staff of the Dublin Corporation employed on compilation of the voters' register.

The remuneration of the staff employed on the compilation of the voters' register for the County Borough of Dublin is a matter for the city manager and town clerk, and my sanction is not required for an alteration in the rates of such remuneration.