asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (a) what was the total deficit in the finances of the Limerick County Council (including outstanding liabilities of all sorts, whether booked at the time or since discovered) as at 31st March, 1925; (b) what is the amount of expenditure on roads in excess of legal limits ascertained during the five years ending on such date; (c) what were the amounts included for levy in the rates for repayment of Local Loans during the said five years, and the amounts remitted by the Repaying Bodies in respect of such loans during the same time respectively; (d) what is the total of deductions made at one time or another by the Central Government from grants payable to Limerick County in respect of defaults in repayment of local loans since 1920.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCES.
(a) I would refer the Deputy to my answer of the 5th July.
(b) and (c) I would refer the Deputy to the copy of the Inspector's Report, which has been supplied to him, which contains the information sought.
(d) £56,161 18s. 3d.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (a) whether he is aware that the Expenditure and Receipts of the Limerick County Council for the five years 1920-25 are shown by the Inspector presiding over the recent Sworn Inquiry in his Report as £1,536,711 and £1,283,211 respectively; (b) what are the figures for Expenditure and Receipts for the same period producing the difference of £142,078 quoted by the Minister in his answer on 5th July last to a question on this subject; (c) whether either of the above results has been certified as correct by the auditor; and (d) in what manner has the actual established difference for such period been dealt with or disposed of, or now stands to be dealt with or disposed of.
The answers are as follows: (a) Yes; (b) Expenditure £1,650,375, Receipts £1,508,297; (c) No; (d) I have no information.
Arising out of the answer to sub-head (c), can the Minister say up to what date was the last public audit? May I suggest that it was last March three years?
I am not able to say the date of the last audit. The auditor has certain statutory duties— he audits the half-yearly accounts of receipts and expenditure. It is not his business to certify as correct the results of any special arithmetical problems.