asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state the total sums advanced by the British Government for the purpose of erecting labourers' cottages in the area of Saorstát Eireann, the sums payable annually prior to 1932 in respect of principal and interest on the moneys so advanced, and the total sum withheld to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labourers' Cottages Erected by British Government.
Prior to the establishment of the Saorstát advances for labourers' cottages were made (a) by the Commissioners of Public Works from the Local Loans Fund and (b) by the Irish Land Commission from the Irish Land Purchase Fund. The advances under (a) in respect of the whole of Ireland up to 31st March, 1922, totalled £3,473,529, of which advances amounting to £81,236 had been fully repaid at that date. Of the balance, £3,126,404 was in respect of the area now included in Saorstát Eireann. The amount advanced in respect of that area is the sum of this figure, £3,126,404, and the corresponding proportion of the repaid advances amounting to £81,236. The Commissioners of Public Works inform me that it would take some time and trouble to apportion this latter figure as between the Saorstát and Northern Ireland. Advances under (b) in respect of the area now included in Saorstát Eireann amounted to £3,795,985. The sums paid by way of principal and interest in the year 1931-32 in respect of these advances were as follows:—
|
Principal. |
Interest. |
Total. |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
42,232 |
69,842 |
112,074 |
|
18,955 |
104,254 |
123,209 |
|
Grand total |
£235,283 |
The amount withheld in respect of advances under (a) forms part of the annuity of £600,000 formerly paid to the British Government and cannot be readily segregated. The amount withheld to the end of the last financial year in respect of advances under (b) was £492,800.