I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí covered by the benchmarking award is 11,906. The estimated cost of paying this award in 2004 is €25.032 million. It should be noted that this figure also covers the cost of payment of the benchmarking award to approximately 1,178 civilian personnel who are paid through the Garda Vote.
Approximately 3,200 prison officers are covered by the benchmarking process. The Department of Finance has provided €5.726 million to cover the increased cost of pay and overtime in 2004 arising from this award. This has been provided for all prison service grades and 132 personnel attached to the head office of the Irish Prison Service and to the prison psychology, education and work and training co-ordination services. It is not possible, in the time available, to break down this amount between prison officers and administration personnel.
The number of staff in my Department and the bodies within its aegis covered by the benchmarking agreement, other than Garda Síochána and Prison Service staff which are detailed above, are set out in the following tabular statement. The projected benchmarking costs are also detailed.