asked the Taoiseach if he will give in the form of a tabular statement the total moneys paid in the form of subsidies on (1) food, (2) clothing, (3) heating and (4) footwear in the years 1975 to 1980, inclusive; if he will give a breakdown of the items in each category on which subsidies were paid and the ratio of the percentage increase or decrease in each year; and if he will give an estimate of the cost of these subsidies in 1981.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report, a statement showing the available data, for 1975 to 1979, which have been extracted from the national accounts, together with estimates for 1980 and 1981.

Following is the statement:

Expenditure on certain subsidies 1975-1981, together with annual percentage changes.

Annual percentage change.

*Estimated.

Note: There are no subsidies on clothing or footwear distinguished in the national accounts.