asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is satisfied that the amount of money provided in the budget in respect of special claims in the public service will be adequate.
77.
Written Answers. - Public Service Special Claims.
76.
asked the Minister for the Public Service the amount already absorbed by recent pay awards out of the £80 million provided in the budget for special increases in public service pay over and above the terms of the National Understanding; and if the provision will be adequate.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take the replies to Questions 76 and 77 together.
To date increases totalling £14 million have been formally sanctioned. As many other special claims have not yet been processed to finality, it would not be appropriate for me to say more about the adequacy of the £80 million provision than what I have already said on this matter in my Financial Statement.