asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs 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.

The reply is given in a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

1. Employees not covered by sick pay schemes

2. Employees not covered by superannuation (pension) scheme

Employees in the following grades are not eligible to receive pensions when they retire. However, they are paid retirement gratuities if they have at least seven years service. The gratuity for full-time officers is calculated on the basis of one week's pay for each year of service up to 15 years and two weeks' pay for each year in excess of 15. The gratuity for part-time officers is based on ¾ of a week's pay for each year of service.