Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1936

Vol. 61 No. 15

Committee on Finance. - Vote 17—Rates on Government Property.

Mr. Lemass

I move:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £61,000 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1937, chun Rátaí, agus Síntiúisí in ionad Rátaí, etc., i dtaobh Maoine Rialtais.

That a sum not exceeding £61,000 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1937, for Rates and Contributions in lieu of Rates, etc., in respect of Government Property.

Mr. Flinn

This is a Vote which deals with the rates which are paid by the Government for contributions in lieu of rates for which they would ordinarily be liable. There is an increase of £2,400 in the total amount for the year. That is caused by the variations in the rates for the year. The Estimate for the previous year was £92,470. This Estimate was framed in November, 1935, on the best information we then had. It may be slightly varied as a result of the actual facts— the rates in the different counties may be different from what we had estimated them. However, I do not expect any large discrepancy.

Mr. Dillon

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what are the British services stated in page 75 in respect of which a contribution in lieu of rates amounting to £2,910 has been paid, which I understand represents an increase of £135 on the previous year? I would be glad to have details of the Appropriation-in-Aid, which has increased by £130 as compared with the previous years, and which, I take it, arises apparently from rates on the premises occupied by the British Government in the Saorstát.

Mr. Flinn

Would the Deputy give me the sub-head?

Mr. Dillon

Sub-head A, paragraph 14, and sub-head B, Appropriations-in-Aid.

Mr. Flinn

The Estimate for Appropriations-in-Aid is £3,000, an increase of £130 over the year 1935-6. These are (a) repayments by the British Government in respect of premises occupied by British Departments in the Saorstát, and (b) agency services performed by the Government of Saorstát Eireann for the British, and a payment of £20 in respect of other agency services, such as the general medical practitioner, treatment for disabled British ex-servicemen performed by the Saorstát for the British Government or the Government of Northern Ireland, and the repayment by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, estimated at £110, in respect of the Post Office Savings Bank premises. If the Deputy would require a list of the premises I will let him have it. I do not carry it in my head.

Mr. Dillon

What are the British Departments housed in Saorstát Eireann in respect of which rates are being paid, and where are they?

Mr. Flinn

Well, there is the defence of Cork Harbour and Lough Swilly; there is the Tully Stud Farm, and the Ministry of Pensions Office. I think that covers the whole of them. I do not know of any others.

Vote put and agreed to.