I move:—
Go ndeontar suim Bhreise ná raghaidh thar £454,229 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1941, chun an Airm agus Cúltaca an Airm (maraon le Deontaisí áirithe i gCabhair) fé sna hAchtanna Fórsaí Cosanta (Forálacha Sealadacha), agus chun Costaisí áirithe riaracháin ina dtaobh san; chun Costaisí Oifig an Aire Cóimhriartha Cosantais; chun Costaisí i dtaobh daoine áirithe do thriail agus do choinneáil (Uimh. 28 de 1939, Uimh. 1 de 1940 agus Uimh. 16 de 1940); chun Costaisí áirithe fé sna hAchtanna um Chiontaí in aghaidh an Stáit, 1939 agus 1940 (Uimh. 13 de 1939 agus Uimh. 2 de 1940), agus fén Acht um Réamhchúram in aghaidh Aer-ruathar, 1939 (Uimh. 21 de 1939); chun Cúl-Sholáthairtí Leighis d'Ospidéil Síbhialta; agus chun Costaisí áirithe bhaineann leis an bhFórsa Cosanta Aitiúil (le n-a n-áirmhítear Deontaisí-i-gCabhair) (Uimh. 28 de 1939).
That a Supplementary sum not exceeding £454,229 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1941, for the Army and the Army Reserve (including certain Grants-in-Aid) under the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Acts, and for certain administrative Expenses in connection therewith; for the Expenses of the Office of the Minister for the Coordination of Defensive Measures for Expenses in connection with the trial and detention of certain persons (No. 28 of 1939, No. 1 of 1940 and No. 16 of 1940); for certain Expenses under the Offences against the State Acts, 1939 and 1940 (No. 13 of 1939 and No. 2 of 1940) and the Air-raid Precautions Act, 1939 (No. 21 of 1939); for Reserve Medical Supplies for Civilian Hospitals; and for certain Expenses of the Local Defence Force (including Grants-in-Aid) (No. 28 of 1939).
This, the second Supplementary Estimate for the Army Vote for the financial year ending on March 31st, 1941, is being introduced partly because it is necessary to regularise and provide for the new Local Defence Force, and partly because expenditure in other directions on the Army proper will be greater than was anticipated last November when the Dáil passed the first Supplementary Estimate for the Army Vote.
The Local Security Force, Group A, ceased to exist as from January 1st, 1941, and from that date became known as the Local Defence Force. All expenditure on the Local Security Force up to January 1st was borne on a Vote administered by the Department of Justice, and the present Estimate provides for all expenditure on the Local Defence Force for the period January 1st-March 31st, 1941.
As regards Capitation Grants, it is necessary to explain that it is proposed to make each district fund a yearly Grant-in-Aid of £1 in respect of each member of the force in that district. The initial grant for which this Estimate provides will be made in respect of members who are certified to have been enrolled on or before 31st December, 1940, and not to have resigned on or before January 31st, 1941. From the funds thus made available, the districts will meet current expenses such as postage, stationery, the hire of halls, etc. Such grants have already been made before the transfer of the force to the Army, and it is provided that where such grants have been made they shall be taken into consideration in assessing the amounts payable to each district.
Apart from this expenditure on the Local Defence Force, it is necessary to ask the Dáil's authority for increased expenditure under nine sub-heads of the Vote. The increase under four of those sub-heads for the pay of civilians and officiating clergymen, for barrack maintenance and for telegrams and telephones is mainly due to an increase in the number of posts held by the Army: the increased amount required for clothing and barrack services is principally due to the continuous expansion of the Army. The increase for provisions under sub-head K is mainly due to the rise in the cost of foodstuffs, and the increase in the cost of transport vessels is due to overhauls. Provision has also been made for a reserve supply of petrol and oils.
The total amount under the various sub-heads which the Dáil is asked to approve in this Estimate is £747,531, but from this sum there must be deducted the sum of £293,302 which is expected to be saved on other sub-heads of the Vote from the total net amount of £6,454,601 already voted. The net sum to be voted in this Estimate is, therefore, £454,229 and for the year £6,908,830.