Vol. 496 No. 4
181 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the cost in the past 12 months of providing escorts by the Defence Forces to banks and others who carry out cash shipments; if any of this cost is recouped; if so, if he will give details in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23216/98]
The total cost in respect of the provision by the Defence Forces of assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash in 1997, the latest full year for which figures are available, was £4.1 million approximately.
In line with the Government decision imposing a charge on the banks, part of these costs are recouped. In 1997 £2.25 million was refunded by the banks to my Department.
