asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will state what sum is due to the Tirconaill County Council in respect of Dog Tax, and what payments, if any, have already been made, and when it is proposed to pay the amount now due to the Council.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS ORAL ANSWERS. - DOG LICENCE DUTY.
The surplus moneys from the Dog Licence Duty under the Dogs Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1865, which were payable to the Counties, Boroughs, Towns and Townships in Ireland for the year ended 31st December, 1919, were paid to the Local Authorities entitled on 11th June, 1920. The proportion paid to the County Council of Tirconaill was £272 2s. 6d. No payment has since been made.
Owing principally to the falling off in the revenue from Fines and Fees, it was found necessary, in order to secure the Petty Sessions Clerks Fund from variation, to transfer the surplus receipts from Dog Licence Duty in 1920 to that Fund, and an Order was accordingly made by the Lords Justices under Section 2 of the Petty Sessions Clerks (Ireland) Act, 1881, transferring the said surplus (except in the Metropolitan area) to the Petty Sessions Clerks Fund.
Instructions have been issued for the distribution of the surplus Dog Licence Duty for the year 1921, which is payable to the Counties, Boroughs, Towns and Townships in Saorstát Eireann. The calculation of the amounts due to Local Authorities has been made, and it is hoped that the necessary arrangements can be completed before long to enable payments of the amounts to be made to the Treasurers or other authorised officers of the Local Authorities. The proportion payable to the County Council of Tirconaill for that year is £733 16s. 7d. There was no surplus for the year 1922. The entire amount collected by the Post Offices and lodged to the credit of the Dogs Act Account in that year was, by Order of the Provisional Government, dated 26th September, 1922, transferred to the Fines and Fees Fund.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, am I to understand that in future there will be a regular source of revenue to the County Councils from this Fund, which is a local one?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
That would be the position, subject to any alterations it might be necessary to make.
May I ask the Minister what would be the estimated proportion of the tax lifted in each country which the County Council will get back? What proportion of the actual money lifted for dog licences each year is it proposed to give back?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I would need to have a separate question put down for that. If the Deputy will put down a question I will consult with the Minister for Finance.