asked the Minister for Finance the number who left the public service in 1987 and 1988; the cost of same to the Exchequer in each of these years; and the pension costs to the Exchequer in 1989.

The information sought by the Deputy could not be obtained in the time available. If the Deputy wishes to put down the question again, I will be able to supply the information at that stage.

(Limerick East): Will the Minister agree to supply the information to Deputy Barry and me when it becomes available without the necessity to put down a further question?

Yes. However, I should like the Deputy to be a little more specific regarding the information he requires. The question seeks information regarding the number who left the service in 1987 and 1988. This could relate to people who died or who have retired. If the Deputy will be more specific I will be delighted to give him the information.

(Limerick East): I presume the Minister can break the information down into categories?

The Deputy wants every single item regarding those who left for whatever reasons?

(Limerick East): Yes, because they all cost money if they had pension rights before they left.

If the question had been more specific I would have been able to answer it. For instance, if the Deputy had been referring to the voluntary redundancy/early retirement scheme, which I thought he might have been, 1,135 people left under that scheme in 1987 and approximately 7,500 more people left in 1988. Payments from the Exchequer in respect of employees who left the public service under this scheme amounted to £8.416 million in 1987 and £95.839 million in 1988. If the Deputy wants more information I will be only too glad to supply it without his having to put down a question.

(Limerick East): If it is in order with the Minister I may contact somebody in his Department directly in order to get more specific information.

That is all right with me.