asked the Minister for Finance (a) the number of vacant posts in each State company on 1 July 1981; and (b) the number of such posts not filled as a result of the Government embargo of 21 July 1981.

I assume the Deputy wishes to have the data requested in respect of all State bodies rather than just State companies. As the Deputy will be aware, it is not the practice to furnish replies on matters of day-to-day administration of State bodies. I am, however, prepared to give global figures for State bodies, the pay of whose staff forms part of the public sector pay bill, including health and fisheries boards.

My reply relates to vacancies as of 21 July, the date from which the embargo applied since data are not readily available in some instances in relation to 1 July.

There were the equivalent of 869 full-time vacancies on 21 July. A total of 684 have not been filled, of which 11 have been identified as not having been filled for reasons other than the Government embargo.

The remaining 174 posts, which were or are to be filled, consist of posts for which recruitment had reached an advanced stage on 21 July and which were, therefore, exempt, certain AnCO training posts later exempted by the Government and certain posts in the National Concert Hall the filling of which was necessary for the hall to function.

In relation to the 684 posts, will the Minister give an indication of where the posts are and how long it is intended to leave them vacant?

Obviously operation of the embargo is something that falls to be reviewed by the Government in a budgetary context and, therefore, it would not be possible for me to say how long the posts in question may remain vacant. I have been advised, however, that it would not be in accordance with proper practice to give detailed information in respect of each of the bodies concerned as it is considered that is a matter for day-to-day administration by the bodies concerned for which the Minister has no official responsibility.