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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1948

Vol. 110 No. 2

Supplementary Estimates. - Vote 54—Gaeltacht Services.

I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £35,000 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1948, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with Gaeltacht Services, including Housing Grants and the purchase and sale of Homespuns.

This sum of £35,000 is required under this Estimate for the work of the Gaeltacht Services Division for this financial year. This amount is required because the receipts anticipated as Appropriations-in-Aid did not materialise and the deficiency must be made good through a Supplementary Estimate. The deficiency in receipts is due to the fact that a material change occurred during the year in trade conditions overseas and in this country. Because of difficulties associated with international currency and economic conditions, sales of homespun tweed abroad declined and sales in this country were also reduced because of improved supplies of other cloths. Another reason for the deficiency in Appropriations-in-Aid is the fact that production in the new leaden models industry established early last year was not as large as at first anticipated. This industry is quite dissimilar to the other industries being operated by the Gaeltacht Services Division and consequently the estimate of production was necessarily conjectural. It is now clear that the training of workers in this new line presents peculiar difficulties and that it was not correct to expect the production on so large a scale as at first estimated. It is anticipated that there will be a total deficiency of £77,162, but offsetting this there will be savings of £42,162, leaving the sum of £35,000 now required.

It will be realised from the foregoing that this Supplementary Estimate arises from marketing and production difficulties in general. The Division was obliged to retrench in purchases of homespuns because of the lack of a market and the large stocks held. Everything possible is being done, however, to find markets and purchases henceforth will be based on market requirements.

The Minister referred to housing in his opening remarks. Would he mind repeating that?

That is in the title.

There is nothing in this Vote for housing. It is in the title and only in the title. There is no money voted for it.

Vote put and agreed to.
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