asked the Minister for Justice if he will state, in view of his statement in the course of the recent Dáil debate on security on 24 January 1984 that Garda expenditure has been very carefully scrutinised in the past year, the findings of this scrutiny.

(Limerick East): As a result of the monitoring of expenditure on the Garda Síochána in 1983, it was possible to identify headings under which savings were likely to arise and to ensure that these funds were reallocated to other services provided for in the Garda Síochána Vote, thereby making the best possible use of the available resources. At the same time it was possible to ensure that overall expenditure did not exceed the provision in the Garda Vote. In the event, total expenditure amounted to £203.99 million and was thus right on target, being within less than 1 per cent of the voted provision of £205.41 million.

Can the Minister tell us the headings under which these savings have been identified and the approximate size of the savings planned?

(Limerick East): I have indicated the two figures: £203.99 million as against £205.41 million which is less than 1 per cent of the voted provision which is very near in terms of estimates and is within the normal parameters in Departments. The savings were in the pay subhead. Some of the money saved was used subsequently for transport and for radio equipment.