asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the amount, if any, paid from the Central Fund to the county council of (1) North Tipperary, and (2) South Tipperary, by way of contribution to the cost of (a) turf production, and (b) the payment of interest on loans in respect of turf production, during the year ended 31st March, 1946.
Written Answers. - Tipperary Turf Production—Central Fund Payments.
During the year ended 31st March, 1946, no payments were made directly from the Central Fund to the County Councils of Tipperary (N.R.) and Tipperary (S.R.) as contributions towards the cost of turf production or the payment of interest on turf production overdrafts. The financial arrangements in relation to the sales of turf to Messrs. Fuel Importers Ltd. and Government Departments were outlined in a reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 10th October, 1945. These arrangements were not altered during the year ended 31st March, 1946.
Payments made to Tipperary (N.R.) County Council by Messrs. Fuel Importers Ltd. in respect of the 1944 season crop amounted to £47,190 11s. 8d. No turf was purchased by Messrs. Fuel Importers Ltd. from the Tipperary (S.R.) County Council.
The following sums were paid by way of bog development grant to facilitate turf production during the year:—
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Tipperary (N.R.) |
261 |
6 |
1 |
|
Tipperary (S.R.) |
1,722 |
6 |
2 |
During the year ended 31st March, 1946, the Minister for Finance agreed that provision could be made in the Estimate of the Department of Industry and Commerce for the year 1946-47 for recoupment to local authorities of losses incurred since 1941 in connection with the sale of turf to persons other than Fuel Importers Ltd., local institutions and Government Departments. Losses incurred by the Tipperary (S.R.) County Council on such sales up to 31st March, 1946, are provisionally estimated at £45,160 7s. 0d. On a certificate furnished by this Department a payment of £37,500 on account of the losses was made by the Department of Industry and Commerce to the county council in August, 1946. The losses incurred by the Tipperary (N.R.) County Council are provisionally estimated at £16,000. A certificate of these losses will shortly be furnished to the Department of Industry and Commerce.