I beg to move:—
"That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £60,000, be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1924, for expenditure in respect of public buildings; for the maintenance of certain parks and public works; for maintenance of drainage works on the River Shannon, and sundry grants in aid."
The need for this supplementary estimate is attributable entirely to military requirements. When the original estimate was prepared, the Army was in process of rapid expansion, and it was not possible to foresee with accuracy the extent of the expenditure on the work and services which the expansion might involve. The original estimate of £78,267 under sub-head (D) for furniture, fittings and utensils, included only £45,000 for military supplies, whereas the expenditure for military purposes has necessitated a further £212,000, for which provision is now being made. The total amount that is being provided for military purposes amounts to over £250,000, and includes about £100,000 for bedding, of which it was necessary to make large purchases early the last year. Between £30,000 and £40,000 was required for the furnishing of quarters for officers, single and married. The remainder of the expenditure was in great part required for providing ordinary barrack furniture for the troops, including chairs, tables, buckets, utensils, etc. It has to be borne in mind that the barracks already equipped with these necessaries were not available for the accommodation of the troops. In regard to sub-head (EE) (compensation for premises commandeered by the Army), this is a sub-head that does not require any explanation. At the time the estimate was prepared it was not possible to foresee with any degree of accuracy the amount that would be required.
The savings of £228,000 expected under other sub-heads of the Vote are due largely to three causes. The expenditure for fuel and light for the Army shows a saving of £126,000 as compared with the original estimate. This is due mainly to the reduction of the Army strength and to the reduction in the number of internees. A saving of £45,000 is expected in the provision originally made for rents due to the fact that separate provision is now being made in respect of compensation for commandeered premises, and the original sub-head for rents, including £45,000, will not be called upon. A saving of £52,000 is expected in the original sub-head (C), which was £365,862 for maintenance and supplies. This is due, of course, to the reduction in the Army. Deputies will readily understand that in a matter of this sort, with the Army and the country in the condition in which they were, and with military operations going on, it was really impossible to do more than to give as good a guess as possible when the estimates were being prepared.