andMr. MacSharry asked the Minister for Lands the number of people employed in his Department in each of the last four years; the number of people employed in each of the same years without having taken part in a public competition; and the number of people employed in the past six months without having taken part in a public competition.

Apart from those employed as Land Commission labourers, gangers and so on, and as forestry workers, the number of persons who started in employment in my Department in each of the last four years was: 1973, 150; 1974, 156; 1975, 116; 1976, 98.

Of these the number employed without having taken part in a public competition was: 1973, 11; 1974, 11; 1975, 22; 1976, 8.

All of these were recruited through the National Manpower Service to subordinate grades of female cleaner, fuel carrier and night watchman, with the exception of the personal assistant to the former Minister for Lands. In the six months ended 31st December, 1976, three people were employed without having taken part in a public competition. They were recruited to the subordinate grades of female cleaner and night watchman through the National Manpower Service.