Vol. 118 No. 16
I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £100,000 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1950, for Expenditure in respect of Public Buildings; for the Maintenance of certain Parks and Public Works; and for the Execution and Maintenance of Drainage and other Engineering Works.
There is a figure of £125,000 in respect of excesses in certain items included in the Vote for Public Works and Buildings, offset by Appropriations-in-Aid. The gross additional expenditure is estimated at £125,000 and the surplus receipts at £25,000, leaving a net shortage of £100,000, for which a Supplementary Estimate will require to be voted. The gross shortage is in respect of sub-head B—New Works, Alterations and Additions. In most years this sub-head has shown a saving due to the cumulative effect of sundry unforeseen circumstances which suspend or retard the numerous individual works for which gross provision is made and allowance is made each year for this factor by way of a deduction from the gross total of the individual provisions in the original Estimate.
This year, the gross provision in sub-head B, of £810,385, was reduced to a net figure of £600,000, this being the amount suggested by experience as likely to be spent. This calculation was upset, however, by the rapid progress made with the programme this year, due to such matters as exceptionally fine weather and the easier supply of materials.
Of the additional sum required, £75,000 is in respect of grants for the building or improvement of national schools. The balance of £50,000 is made up of a few large unforeseen works, including (1) the transfer of the Garda Síochána headquarters from the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, necessitated by the discovery of structural defects in the roofs, secondly, the adaptation, furnishing and decoration of the new legation premises at Washington and a number of other items of expenditure which, at the time the Estimate was prepared, it was thought would have been discharged during the previous year.
As regards the surplus of Appropriations-in-Aid, the additional sum of £23,000 in respect of rents and fines is due principally to the grant of a new lease to the United States Legation of the premises occupied by them in the Phoenix Park, for which they paid a fine of £17,000. The principal other additional receipts arise from harbour tolls, dues, etc., and from sale of stores, old materials. The estimated receipts from hire of plant are down by £6,500, giving a net increase in Appropriations-in-Aid of £25,000.
There is reference to the Legation in the Park and I would like to know what are the conditions under which it has been let.
The Deputy's question refers to the conditions of the lease?
Yes.
It is leased for 99 years from 1st April, 1949, in consideration of a fine of £17,000, subject to a rent of 1d. per annum, if demanded, the lessee to be responsible for rates and all maintenance. I would like to point out that particulars of this lease were laid on the Table of the House some time ago, in accordance with Standing Orders.
I am sorry. I missed it.
