asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that, since November, 1942, the quarterly meetings of the Central Savings Committee, Press notices and propaganda of all kinds are discontinued and the savings officers withdrawn; and whether he will state the present policy regarding the savings movement generally, and when it is proposed to arrange for the savings officers to resume their duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Savings Committee.
I am aware of the matters mentioned in the first part of the question. Following the discovery of serious defalcations in the office of the Central Savings Committee, an investigation into the position of savings associations throughout the country was undertaken. The results of this inquiry are under consideration. It is not the intention, at any rate while the existing restrictions on transport continue, to restore the State savings officers to their former duties.
On the question of general policy, I may say that substantial provision has been made in the Estimate already approved for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs for the coming year for a publicity campaign in relation to savings generally, including the Post Office Savings Bank, savings certificates and other forms of thrift particularly suitable to the small investor.