asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Estate Duty Grants have not been paid for some years to the Longford County Council, and if he will state the amounts that have been withheld in each year since this has been the case, and when payments will be resumed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants Withheld in Longford.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what amounts have been withheld from the Longford County Council out of the Agricultural Grant for each year since this has been the case, and when these sums will be paid to the Council.
I propose to answer the Deputy's two questions together In the case of Longford County Council, a sum of £4,320 6s. 10d. Estate Duty Grant was, in 1925, absorbed in the Guarantee Fund in respect of charges against the Fund for arrears of Land Purchase Annuities, etc., covering the years from 1922 to 1925, inclusive. Of that amount, a sum of £2,269 10s. 5d. has since been paid to the Council. In the following years Guarantee Fund charges absorbed the following amounts:— 1926, £977 18s. 8d.; 1927, £279 2s. 0d.; 1928, £1,051 18s. 11d.; 1929. £844 8s. 5d. The total amount of Estate Duty Grant absorbed in the Guarantee Fund since 1922 is, therefore, £5,204 4s. 5d.
As regards Agricultural Grant, a sum of £442 17s. 7d. was deducted in April, 1926, from Longford County Council's share of that Grant, as their share of the Estate Duty Grant was not sufficient to meet Guarantee Fund charges in respect of arrears of Land Purchase Annuities, etc. The amount was, however, paid in 1927. For the same reason, a sum of £1,855 1s. 9d. was deducted in 1928, but this amount has since been paid with the exception of a sum of £241 12s. 7d., which will be paid to the Council at the end of the present month.
Any sums outstanding in respect of Estate Duty Grant or Agricultural Grant, which have been absorbed in the Guarantee Fund to meet the charges imposed by law upon that Fund, will be paid to Longford County Council according as the arrears of Land Purchase Annuities, etc., in the county are paid off.
Is the Longford County Council treated as a separate and distinct unit?
Yes.