asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the total cost, including renovations and decorations, to the Television Authority and/or his Department of the house provided for the former Director-General of Telefís Éireann; whether the present Director-General will occupy the same house; if not, whether another house will be purchased for him by his Department or the Authority; whether there will be any limit as to cost of the provision of such a house; and whether it is the policy of the Minister and the Authority to provide whatever house a Director-General may desire, regardless of the houses which may already be in possession of the Authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of House for RE Director-General.
31.
The provision of a house for the former Director-General of Radio Éireann was an exercise of a power incidental to the functions of the Authority. The purchase was financed by a repayable interest-bearing advance made to the Authority under Section 23 of the Broadcasting Authority Act. I understand that the total capital cost including renovations and decorations was £10,550 and that the property was let to the former Director-General at an economic rent. The purchase involved no cost to public funds.
I am not, at present, aware of the Authority's plans regarding a house for the new Director-General but I understand that the Authority also intends to provide him with a suitable unfurnished house at an economic rent.
32.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether prior to the setting up of the Broadcasting Authority under the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, it was the practice of his Department to provide free housing for the Director of Radio Éireann: and whether this was done at any time.
The answer to both parts of the Question is no. But, as the Deputy will have learned from my earlier reply, the implication in the question that the Directors General appointed by the Broadcasting Authority are provided with free housing is quite incorrect.