Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Mar 1958

Vol. 165 No. 8

Committee on Finance. - Vote 24—Stationery Office.

Minister for Finance (Dr. Ryan)

I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £25,000 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st March, 1958, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Stationery Office; for Printing and Binding, and the provision of Stationery, Paper, Books, Office Machinery and other Office Supplies for the Public Services; and for sundry Miscellaneous Purposes, including the publication and sale of Reports of Oireachtas Debates, Bills, Acts and other Government Publications.

A further sum of £25,000 will be required to meet the expenditure from this Vote in the current financial year in addition to the net sum already provided, £427,300. In the main, the necessity for the extra provision arises from the fact that the Estimate was tightly drawn and demands for Stationery Office supplies and services were greater than was anticipated. This latter was particularly the case in relation to equipment for mechanised procedures designed to secure savings in staff expenditure on Votes other than that for the Stationery Office.

Even though demands were not excessive by comparison with previous years, the provision for printing and binding was also found to be insufficient to meet requirements as the year advanced.

Mr. Sweetman

I do not think the Minister is quite correct when he says the Supplementary Estimate arises mainly because of the necessity for additional equipment. The main part of the Supplementary Estimate, 50 per cent. of it, is in respect of additional printing and binding, £12,200 out of £25,000 if I understand the Estimate correctly. I cannot see why that should be so, particularly when we have on the other side the increased deficiency for Appropriations-in-Aid. Possibly there might be a decrease in the sales of Oireachtas papers, because in the period since March 20 last the House has met less often because the Government provided less work than is normal for it. I cannot see how the two come in the same time.

So fas as additional equipment is necessary for increased mechanisation, I willingly give the amount in question to the Minister. The more one can streamline efficiency, the better for all of us and the better ultimately for the taxpayer. I think there must be some reason other than that which the Minister has mentioned to account for the increase in printing and binding. That is an Estimate which it is to a large extent within the power of the Minister to determine. The Minister, by keeping a tight rein there, can ensure that Estimates are not exceeded and on that sub-head, D., I should like some greater explanation than the Minister has vouchsafed.

Dr. Ryan

I am afraid I cannot add very much, except that printing and stationery were higher than had been anticipated. I do not blame my predecessor. Of course, he cut the Estimate as far as he could get agreement, but the Estimate was cut by £40,000 and it was a little bit too much. That is all I can say about it. Whatever stocks of stationery and so on we had were running down. On that sub-head, let us say an error of judgment was made more than anything else. They had to buy more stationery than was anticipated.

Mr. Sweetman

If any Estimates have to be cut, it is a good thing that it should be those with which the Minister for Finance deals, in order to set a headline.

Dr. Ryan

I agree.

Vote put and agreed to.