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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1960

Vol. 180 No. 8

Committee on Finance. - Vote 28—Prisons.

I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £13,130 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1960, for the Expenses of Prisons, St. Patrick's, and the Maintenance of Prisoners confined in District Mental Hospitals (17 & 18 Vict., c. 76; 34 & 35 Vict., c. 112, sec. 6; 40 & 41 Vict., c. 49; 47 & 48 Vict., c. 36; 61 & 62 Vict., c. 60; 1 Edw. 7, c. 17, sec. 3; 8 Edw. 7, c. 59; 4 & 5 Geo. 5, c. 58; and No. 9 of 1956).

This Supplementary Estimate is due mainly to the number of prisoners in custody being somewhat higher than expected and to pay increases secured by prison officers under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service. The increase in prison population has made it necessary to recruit some additional staff and has also necessitated increased expenditure under the headings of victualling and escort and conveyance. There is an increase of £1,310 in the expenditure for the maintenance of prisoners confined in district mental hospitals and it is expected that the receipts from prison manufactures will be £2,150 less than estimated. The total additional sum required is £13,130.

I think I heard the Minister say there was an increase in expenditure for maintenance amounting to £1,300 odd; yet the figure on the Estimate appears to be £1,280. Is there some discrepancy there?

The Deputy is referring to the statement that there is an increase of £1,310 in the expenditure for maintenance?

That is the figure I have been given.

On Subhead M.— Maintenance of Prisoners Confined in District Mental Hospitals—the sum is £1,280.

I can only presume there is——

The matter involved is £30 so it is not very significant, but there does appear to be a discrepancy between what the Minister says and what the Estimate says. Perhaps the Minister will look into it at his convenience.

Vote put and agreed to.
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