asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what arrangements are in operation for the heating and lighting of F.C.A. halls throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heating and Lighting of F.C.A. Halls.
I assume that the Deputy's question relates to Sluagh halls and F.C.A. huts.
Heating is provided by means of stoves in the halls and in the majority of the huts. Similar arrangements are being made in respect of the remaining huts.
Electric lighting is provided in the halls and in a number of the huts. The remainder of the huts are lit by oil lamps, and the question of installing electric lighting in such of them as can be readily connected up by the Electricity Supply Board is under consideration.
The Minister's reply sounds very plausible but is he aware that the local F.C.A. units must themselves make arrangements for the heating and lighting of the halls? They must supply turf, timber or coal for the fires and oil for the lamps. Does the Minister consider it fair that a voluntary organisation should have to supply light and fuel for voluntary training when the Regular Army is supplied with coal for offices and rooms and the same applies in the case of the Civil Service? Would the Minister consider making alternative arrange ments in order to ensure that fuel and light will be available in these hall to local F.C.A. companies?
The expenses are me from Grants-in-Aid which are provided by the Government and these Grants-in-Aid are based on a capitation grant.
Is the Minister aware that in order to heat up F.C.A. halls at the moment it is necessary for the battalions to hold dances throughout the different localities in order to raise funds for the purpose of buying fuel for the fires and oil for the lamps That is the present system in operation in the rural areas.
That is the system that has been in operation from the beginning and I have had no complaints on the matter.
Will the Minister accept this as a complaint I am making on behalf of the units in my own constituency? Will be accept it from me that they are dissatisfied with the system? Is the Minister aware that it is very difficult for men in the Army or the F.C.A. to make complaints since they are not in the same position to relieve their grouses as are the civil servants and those in other walks of life?
The Deputy can take it from me that they are very voluble.