asked the Minister for the Environment the cost of malicious damages claims in 1983, 1984 and 1985; and the cost in each of those years in County Louth.

Malicious injuries compensation paid by local authorities in 1983 and 1984 amounted to £13.66 million and £17.35 million respectively. The estimated figure for 1985 is £20 million. The figures for Louth County Council for the years in question are £0.67 million, £0.66 million and £0.74 million respectively.