asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reasons the percentage of total costs represented by staff costs in the Forestry and Wildlife service has risen from 23.8 per cent to 32.4 per cent since 1969-70 and if he expects this trend to continue.
Written Answers. - Forestry and Wildlife Service.
230.
The percentages quoted by the Deputy are based on net expenditure, that is gross expenditure less Appropriations-in-Aid. Since 1969-70 Appropriations-in-Aid have increased at a greater rate than expenditure because of increased wood production and this would be a contributory factor in increasing the ratio of staff costs to net expenditure.
In so far as the change is attributable to this feature it is expected that the trend will continue. There have in addition been staff increases because of the increase since 1970 of 40 per cent in the area managed by the Forestry and Wildlife Service and significantly because of additional responsibilities undertaken by the Forestry and Wildlife Service including wildlife conservation. Future trends in this respect will be affected by the duties assigned to the service and by the service's ability to control other costs.
Question No. 231 postponed.