asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries how much of the £2,550,000 voted under subhead E.2 of the Estimate for his Department for 1971-72 has been spent; and if he will use any surplus to assist the meat factories in their immediate and severe difficulties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assistance to Meat Factories.
43.
As against the estimated expenditure of £2,550,000 mentioned, there was an estimated appropriation-in-aid of £1,500,000 in respect of receipts from the UK Government. The actual expenditure to the end of February has been approximately £1,500,000 but the appropriation-in-aid is not now expected to be more than approximately £650,000.
As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to what I said on 23rd February in reply to a question by Deputy Clinton.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister promised there would be an announcement in relation to the second part of the question this week? Can he tell us when this announcement will be made and, further, can he tell me exactly how much money is to spare under subhead E.2? I do not understand the various terms which the Parliamentary Secretary used.
To take the second part of the question first, it is not expected that there will be any surplus under subhead E.2. I do not agree that the Minister said there would be an announcement this week because he is giving this matter his urgent attention and consultations are still going on. What the Minister said in reply to a parliamentary question was that this announcement would be made as quickly as possible. That is the position still.