asked the Minister for Justice the basis on which the provision for salaries, wages and allowances in the Estimates for the Prison Service shows a 48 per cent increase in the Book of Estimates for 1981 in comparison with the 1980 Estimates provision, as against an increase under the same head of 20 per cent for the Garda, 19 per cent for his own Department and 18 per cent for the Courts.
Written Answers. - Prison Service Pay.
218.
The Estimates in question were compiled by reference to the projected needs for 1981. The fact that differing percentage increases have emerged as between corresponding subheads of the different Votes for which I have responsibility is, therefore, of no significance.