asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí assigned to full-time clerical duties.

Seventy-five sergeants and 277 gardaí are at present assigned to full-time clerical duties.

Could the Minister give us that figure as a percentage of the total Garda force?

There are 7,000 approximately in the force at the moment. The Deputy could work it out as quickly as I could.

Does the Minister not agree that there is a tremendous waste of manpower in having men sitting behind desks doing jobs which female clerical assistants could well do?

I do not agree. I have reduced the number in the past year by 65 by the introduction of clerical assistants. A good deal of this work could only be done by gardaí. For one reason or another it would not be suitable to have female clerical assistants do it. That does not say that we shall not continue to bring in more female clerical assistants. The target at present is 150.

81.

asked the Minister for Justice when he intends appointing female clerical assistants to Garda stations in County Cork.

Two clerical assistants have been appointed to Garda stations in County Cork and I have accepted the Commissioner's recommendation that six more should be appointed.

Does the Minister not consider that there was undue delay in introducing clerical assistants in view of the fact that it is a considerable time since the principle was accepted?

There has not been undue delay in introducing them. In common with all other Departments we have problems in getting a sufficient complement from each competition. The result of the last examination was published last week and medical examinations and so on are now taking place and it is hoped to have a fairly large increase in the number appointed in about a month's time.

Is the Minister satisfied it is working out well?

I am. There are reports from a number of chief superintendents and the majority of them speak well of the system. Some have certain reservations.

Does the Minister consider that the appointment of the two who are in and the further appointment of six more will be adequate to cope with the demand in County Cork?

I do not consider one way or the other. I get a request from the Commissioner. He asks for that number and we shall give him that number.