asked the Minister for the Public Service the amount of money that was paid to the Civil Service Commission in respect of fees to sit Civil Service examinations since the inception of the scheme.

Towards defraying the running costs, fees used to be charged for Civil Service competitions up to 1968; they were then abolished. Fees were reintroduced for competitions announced on or after 1 March 1983 and were terminated for competitions announced after 31 December 1983; they do not now apply. I assume that it is those particular fees in which the Deputy is interested. The amount received from them was £184,617.

About a year ago the Minister introduced a charge for people sitting Civil Service examinations, for the posts of CO, CA, EO and HEO. Is the Minister saying that the income in respect of that charge was £184,617? Will the Minister not agree that in the context of the overall State expenditure that figure is small but yet it prevents people from entering because they cannot pay? Will the Minister say if the fee could be abolished?

Is the Deputy suggesting that the fee should be cancelled now and not apply in respect of any competitions held this year?

I can tell the Minister that in the inner city in Dublin the fee is seen as a total disincentive for any person who seeks a job in the public service. The people in this area have a perception that they would have no chance of success in any case because of their address and people who are living on assistance and benefits are not even encouraged to apply. I am sure that £184,000 will not solve any of the Minister's financial problems.

I find it difficult to believe that the Deputy has received complaints about this matter recently.

I certainly have received complaints. I am talking about people who are living on assistance and other benefits of that kind.

Perhaps I might direct the attention of the Deputy to my reply.

I find it difficult to hear the Minister.

I pointed out the scheme was introduced on 1 March 1983 and terminated on 31 December 1983. The scheme has not applied in relation to any competitions or in respect of any jobs advertised or filled during 1984. If the Deputy has had complaints recently I can only assume that the people concerned must have been talking about competitions other than Civil Service competitions. There have not been application fees in respect of any competitions since the beginning of this year.

Have there been competitions this year?

Yes, of course.

I will give the Minister details of the complaints I have received. They may relate to last year.

I will not pursue the Deputy.

I will certainly pursue the Minister.

The Deputy is very welcome to try on that matter.

I am calling Question No. 20.