andMr. MacSharry asked the Minister for Local Government 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.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the information requested:—

The number of people recruited in the six months ended 31st December, 1976, other than through a public competition was nil.

In 1976 there were one student planner, five male cleaners and five female cleaners. In 1975 there were one personal assistant to the Parliamentary Secretary, one on a fee basis for planning appeals work, one student planner, two married women reinstated on compassionate grounds, five female cleaners and nine male cleaners. In 1974 there were one student planner, two reinstated widows, three engaged on a fee basis on planning appeal work, three consultant systems analysts, ten male cleaners and two female cleaners. In 1973 there were one personal assistant for myself, one engaged on a fee basis on planning appeals work, five engaged on a fee basis on housing grant inspections and three male cleaners.

Are there any vacancies there at the moment?

I am quite sure Deputy Haughey does not want any information on vacancies in the Department of Local Government or any other Government Department from me.

Is the Minister in the mood for receiving recommendations?

If I am the Deputy obviously has not heard of it.

40.