asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in respect of the employees of his Department the grade and the number in each such grade who are not covered by sick pay or superannuation schemes.

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:

EMPLOYEES of the Department of Defence not covered by either a sick pay scheme or a superannuation scheme.

EMPLOYEES of the Department of Defence covered by a Sick Pay Scheme but not covered by a Superannuation Scheme.

All the foregoing employees may qualify for a compassionate gratuity under the Superannuation Acts.