asked the Minister for Local Government the total demand for poor rates issued by the combined local authorities for each of the financial years ending 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Note: These figures do not include the increases in the rents of small dwellings owned by the local authorities, which are in effect the rates on these dwellings.