asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of each of the agricultural wages areas the weekly increase in wages now required to restore the purchasing power of the minimum weekly rates prescribed by the Agricultural Wages Board with effect from 28th May, 1956.

The best available indicator of the general purchasing power of money in this connection is the consumer price index. Between mid-May, 1956, and mid-August, 1958 (the latest date for which figures are available) this index (base: mid-August, 1947=100) increased by 9.0 per cent. The following statement shows the weekly amounts (to the nearest penny) which represented 9.0 per cent. of each of the minimum weekly rates specified in the Agricultural Wages (Minimum Rates) Order, 1956.

ADJUSTMENTS in the statutory minimum wage rates proportional to the change in the Consumer Price Index between mid-May 1956 and mid-August 1958.

(a) Males

(b) Females