asked the Minister for Communications the total allocation to An Post under section 29 (1) of Postal and Telecommunications Services Bill, 1982, for capital works in 1984.

14.

asked the Minister for Communications the total transfer of funds to An Post in 1984 for current expenditure.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

No contribution to finance capital works was made to An Post during 1984, but a current expenditure grant of £5 million was made.

In the Posts and Telecommunications Services Bill we made provision for capital payments to An Post.

The Minister should be aware of the rundown condition of many of the buildings that An Post obtained from the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs. The Minister's explanation is unacceptable. I regret that the Minister made no capital allocation to An Post for 1984 and I would ask the Minister to indicate now if he proposes to make a capital allocation for capital works to An Post in 1985.

While there is a provision in the Posts and Telecommunications Act, 1983 for the payment of capital grants to An Post I did not feel it necessary to make a capital grant available during 1984. There will be provision in the Estimates this year for a capital grant to An Post.

The post office and sorting office in Cork city, which I inspected as Minister of State and found it to be in an appalling condition, would require major capital expenditure. Will the Minister indicate if he has received an application from An Post for capital works in 1985 and will he indicate the proposed location of the proposed capital expenditure?

That has been repaired.

I am grateful to Deputy Allen for putting Deputy Leyden right in relation to Cork post office. There will be provision this year for a capital grant of £4 million to An Post but I do not have the details as to its expenditure.

Would the Minister agree that An Post is setting about its task of being a viable commercial operation——

That seems to be a separate question.

If the Ceann Comhairle would wait, I will relate it to the answer the Minister gave. In view of that fact, will the Minister not agree that it is important to provide An Post with both the capital and current grants that they need in this intervening period?

Everybody has been greatly impressed by the success of An Post since its establishment. I am happy with the state of An Post and I am happy that they have adequate resources to do the job.

It would be appropriate for the Minister to outline the proposed expenditure of the £4 million for 1985. The Minister should be informed as to the expenditure. In relation to the An Post fleet, was any allocation made for it in 1984?

They are very detailed questions and if the Deputy tables them I will answer them.