andMrs. Desmond asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is aware of the completely inadequate daily subsistence rate paid to Circuit Court criers; and if he will undertake a full review of this rate.

The rates of subsistence allowance payable to Circuit Court criers are the same as those for civil servants of equivalent grading.

These rates are revised each year by reference to average hotel charges, as published by Bord Fáilte, in accordance with an arrangement agreed with the staff associations under the scheme for Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service.

A special revision of the basis on which the rates are calculated is under discussion with the staff representatives at present and any improvements agreed finally will, of course, be reflected in the rates for criers.

If any court crier feels that he is out of pocket by reason of expenditure incurred by him on subsistence while on circuit, the question of reimbursing him will be sympathetically considered on submission of a claim to his Department giving details.

Could the Minister indicate the daily subsistence rate proper to criers at the moment?

That is a separate question.

The normal rate is £7.03. The day allowance is £2.35 and the overnight allowance is £7.03.