asked the Minister for Finance the total amount paid out of the Funds of Suitors over the last five years; the individuals or organisations to whom it was paid; the reasons for payment; and the amount of balance still in the Funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payments from Funds of Suitors.
81.
As the Deputy has addressed the question to me rather than my colleague, the Minister for Justice, I assume he is inquiring about payments under the Funds of Suitors Acts of 1963 and 1966.
In the past five years, payments made under the two Acts from the Funds of Suitors to the Capital Fund totalled £500,000. Disbursements from the latter sum have been: (a) sums totalling £413,971 to the National Theatre Society Ltd. for the rebuilding of the Abbey Theatre, including the Peacock Theatre. Dublin, and (b) sums totalling £85,000 to the Cork Opera House Company Limited towards rebuilding the Opera House, Cork.
As regards the last part of the Question, the assets of the Suitors' Funds in the form of cash and securities held on 30th September, 1966, amounted to £16,410,325. Total liability in respect of the Funds amounted to £17,688,475. The difference, £1,278,150, represents the aggregate of the cash and securities withdrawn from the Funds under enactments which provide Central Fund guarantees in respect of the sums so withdrawn.