With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos 15, 16 and 17 together.
A provision of £95,000 was included in the Vote for Labour 1979 for the Employment Equality Agency. I have arranged to have an additional sum of £12,250 made available to the agency this year to cover increased staff costs and a contribution towards research. Payments to the Agency in the financial year to date amount to £72,250.
When I met the agency recently to discuss their work programme they sought substantially increased finance and additional staff for 1980. Their request will be considered by the Government when financial allocations for 1980 are being settled.