Vol. 250 No. 8
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) for himself and (b) for the Parliamentary Secretary the cost of officially provided Christmats cards and greetings sent in 1969; if the postage was provided free by his Department; if so, the cost in each case; if he will give an estimate of the cost of cards on order for this year under each heading; and if the cards will be sent free.
221.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of Christmas cards provided in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 for (a) himself and (b) his Parliamentary Secretary; and the total cost in each case for each year.
222.
asked the Minister for Local Government if in estimating the cost of Christmas cards and greetings he includes (a) envelopes and (b) estimated Civil Service time.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 221 and 222 together.
Christmas cards were not provided officially for the Minister in 1966, 1967, 1968 or 1969. The cost of 2,000 cards on order for 1970 is approximately £150.
In the case of the Parliamentary Secretary the cost was :—1966, £69 5s 0d (700 cards); 1967, £84 2s 5d (700 cards); 1968, £85 (700 cards); 1969, £81 18s 6d (700 cards). The cost of 1,000 cards on order for 1970 is £120 approximately.
Postage was arranged by the Department but the actual cost involved cannot be calculated as the charge for the Department's postal services is a fixed sum, and the items are not paid for individually. The same arrangements for postage will apply this year.
The costs given include envelopes. There was no extra cost for Civil Service time.
