4. Employees and remuneration
The average number of persons employed by the Group (excluding associated and joint venture undertakings) during the year was 1,170 (2008 : 1,250) which comprise 551 (2008 : 586) industrial workers and 619 (2008 : 664) non-industrial employees.
| 2009 | 2008 | |
| €'000 | €'000 | |
| The staff costs comprise: |
||
| Wages and salaries |
53,407 | 59,066 |
| Social welfare costs |
4,485 | 4,777 |
| Pension costs |
5,601 | 7,077 |
| 63,493 | 70,920 | |
| Own work capitalised |
(13,221) | (15,812) |
| Charge to profit and loss account | 50,272 | 55,108 |