asked the Minister for Finance how the £2 million allocated to the Office of Public Works under the job creation package in last January's budget has been spent to date; and the number of jobs generated as a consequence.

The £2 million allocated to the Office of Public Works under the job creation package in last January's budget is being applied (a) to increasing the strength of the Office's direct-labour maintenance organisations; (b) to expanding the work-forces on the Boyne and Maigue arterial drainage schemes and (c) to extending construction projects already in hands and expediting other work at planning stage.

Apart from the incentive effect of the injection of additional money on works being carried out under contract and works at planning stage, the number of jobs directly generated to date is 113.

Were those jobs notified to the National Manpower Service and the employment exchanges?

Yes.