asked the Minister for Finance the total amount available for loans by the associated banks; how much is available for State purposes; and how much for private enterprise.
24.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bank Credit.
23.
asked the Minister for Finance what credits he intends to ask the commercial banks to create to meet the capital expenditure and repayment of long-term loans which mature during the financial year 1970-71.
I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
Reliable statistics for bank credit for the past year are not yet available. For the year to April, 1971 the Central Bank, taking into account the likely increase in deposit resources of the associated banks, advised that total credit extended by them should not increase by more than £75 million. However, as a result of the effects of the bank dispute it is not possible to estimate either the likely increase in credit during this period or its distribution between the public and private sector.
To date the Exchequer have borrowed £20 million from the commercial banks in the current financial year. The balance of Exchequer requirements will not be settled until towards the end of this month when final figures for the total capital receipts and expenditures for the year become available.
In the meantime how was the Exchequer financed?
That is another question which the Deputy has down and to which I am coming.