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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Mar 1951

Vol. 124 No. 10

Committee on Finance. - Vote 24—Stationery and Printing.

I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £81,050 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1951, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Stationery Office; for Stationery, Printing, Paper, Binding, and Printed Books for the Public Service; and for sundry Miscellaneous Services, including Reports of Oireachtas Debates.

There are quite a number of increases set out under the different headings here. The printing increase is due to the increased cost of printing. A certain amount of the expenditure was unforeseen, because costs did not show any sign of rising when the original estimates were prepared. Under the heading of paper, that increase again is due to the fact that increases in the prices of paper have occurred. These were unforeseen and they are quite heavy. The same applies with regard to binding. There are certain departmental requirements which now cost more than we thought they would. The other matters are small, excepting the item miscellaneous office supplies. That increase is partly due to stockpiling; in fact, to a considerable extent. The greater part will be for extra stock reserves which will mainly be in regard to typewriting machines.

Will the Minister state if there is any special significance attaching to the increased provision required under sub-head G? The note attached says that the additional provision is necessary to meet unforeseen expenditure on printing. Does that mean that some substantial printing order was given which was not anticipated at the beginning of the year, or that the amount of printing done was higher than anticipated? I note that sub-head K.1 provides for the cost of printing and distribution of the brochure entitled "Ireland is Building," but no appropriation in aid is shown in respect of receipts from the sale of that publication. Were there any sales or any receipts?

I am afraid there are not. Of course, there would be none coming in before the end of the financial year. Probably hereafter there will be an appropriation. So far as the other matter is concerned, the expenditure was unforeseen. I do not think it means there was more printing done, but rather that the expenses of printing have gone up. It is almost entirely due to increases in prices.

Printing charges were under a standstill Order and still are.

Vote put and agreed to.
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