I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £48,550 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 Garda Síochána (No. 7 of 1925, No. 10 of 1926, No. 5 of 1937, No. 19 of 1941, Nos. 1 and 17 of 1945) and for payments of compensation and other expenses arising out of service in the Local Security Force (No. 19 of 1946 and No. 15 of 1949).
The gross amount under the various sub-heads is £54,328, but as there will be an estimated surplus of £5,778 on appropriations-in-aid, the net additional sum required is £48,550. Deputies will have noticed from the Estimate that additional provision is required under seven sub-heads, the two main items being £20,497 under sub-head A in respect of salaries, wages and pay and £28,884 under sub-head E in respect of clothing and equipment.
The estimated increased expenditure under sub-head A is due to the fact that the number of retirements during the period to date has been less than was anticipated. The original estimate was framed on the basis of a strength of 5,550 Gardaí on the 1st April, 1950, whereas the strength on that date was 5,576. Further, there were fewer retirements.
Sub-heads C and D deal with subsistence allowances and locomotion allowance. The excesses of £1,200 and £1,000 under these sub-heads respectively are due to increased expenditure on (a) duty in connection with the local elections and (b) payment of arrears of subsistence allowance under the Garda Síochána Allowances Order, 1949. This expenditure was not anticipated when the Estimates were being framed.
Sub-head E deals with clothing and equipment. The sum of £28,884 under this sub-head is mainly required to pay for belated deliveries of clothing which were expected prior to 31st March, 1950, and for which provision was made in the 1949-50 Estimates. Provision is also necessary and had been made to meet the cost of early deliveries of cloth for Garda uniforms to the value of £7,650 for the year 1951-52. No deliveries of this cloth were expected prior to 1st April next.
Sub-head F—furniture, barrack bedding and bedsteads — the extra provision of £1,227 under this sub-head is mainly required in consequence of the purchase of bedding and mattresses which it was anticipated would have been delivered and paid for before the 31st March, 1950. Sub-head I—fuel and light and water—the excess of £1,000 under this sub-head is due to the general rise in the price of fuel. Sub-head M — compensation — the expenditure under this sub-head is always conjectural and the commitments to the 31st March next will necessitate the provision of the additional amount shown—£520.