with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The annual cost of salaries for the administrative and clerical staff, totalling 577—not 452 as mentioned in the question—employed by the four unified health authorities is £345,000. On the basis that the annual sum needed to meet superannuation costs ultimately is 15 per cent. of salary, and taking account of the contributions paid by staff, where such contributions are payable, the annual cost to the health authorities of superannuation payable in due course to these staffs is estimated at £43,000.
The figures for the corresponding staffs engaged whole-time on health services, totalling 452 (not 1,029 as mentioned in the question) of the remaining health authorities are £253,000 and £32,000 respectively.
The staffs concerned do not receive other emoluments.