asked the Minister for the Public Service the number of claims now pending throughout the public service, and if he will indicate the grades affected and the stage of negotiations reached in respect of each claim.

I can only give the Deputy information about those parts of the public service in which I have a direct involvement in negotiations and, accordingly, I am dealing only with claims affecting civil servants, teachers and the Garda. The total number of claims lodged in these parts of the public service at present is 540. Four hundred and seventy-five of these are under discussion at the various conciliation councils. The remainder have been referred for independent assessment either to the Labour Court, the appropriate arbitration board, the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector or the Garda Síochána Committee of Inquiry. As some of the claims in all areas are of a general nature, every grade would be affected by some claim.

What is the total cost of the claims submitted?

That is a separate question.

Surely the information is available.

I was not asked that question.

How many of 540 claims are actually at arbitration level and in how many instances have offers been made?

So far as the conciliation and arbitration machinery is concerned 39 are at arbitration.

In how many instances have actual cash offers been made to the grades concerned?

I have not got that information.