Cavan): I move:
That a sum not exceeding £841,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1975, for certain miscellaneous expenses, and for payment of a grant-in-aid.
Excess Vote, 1972-73. - Vote 17: Miscellaneous Expenses.
I do not expect the Minister to give us all the details. What are the major items in the Vote?
(Cavan): Aid to the theatre, £640,000; property values, £9,000; centenarians' bounty, £2,000; Racing Board, £100,000; State entertainment, £90,000. That is the make-up.
The Racing Board?
(Cavan): Yes, for capital purposes.
Could I ask the Minister if he can throw any light on the Government's attitude in regard to the request for assistance in the restoration of the Olympia Theatre?
(Cavan): I am afraid I cannot but I will pass the Deputy's query on to the Minister and will ask him to deal with it.
The Minister said the centenarians' bounty was only £2,000. That means that 40 persons qualified. We have been trying to get that doubled for some time. It has remained at £50 for some years. Where would one make representations? Would this not be a good time to double it and to give people £100 if they live to be 100 years of age?
(Cavan): I understand that it is the Minister for Finance who is responsible for it. It was raised from £5 to £50.
Yes, by our Administration. Would the Minister not consider raising it again?
(Cavan): I will convey Deputy Power's interest to the Minister for Finance.
Kicking to touch.
(Cavan): So would the Deputy.
There was a substantial increase in State entertainment of distinguished persons over the previous nine-month period. Is all this entertainment the result of our presidency of the EEC or is this the heading under which that expenditure arises?
(Cavan): If the Deputy considers the matter he will agree that there is not so much substance in his remark because the amount of £60,000 last year was for a nine-month period and the £90,000 is for a full 12-month period. The Deputy will appreciate that this year the country has been honoured with the presidency of the EEC and even a casual thought about it will show that there was not much more entertainment in the first six months of this year than there would normally be, due to EEC activities.
Am I to take it that the cost of entertaining distinguished persons as a result of the presidency was £15,000? Would I be right in that assumption?
(Cavan): I do not know where Deputy Fitzgerald got that figure.
I will explain. If it was £60,000 for a nine-month period it would be about £80,000 for a full year. That would mean an increase of £10,000. Was that £10,000 devoted to entertaining the distinguished persons?
(Cavan): I am not in a position to give details, but it is easy to understand that there would be an increase this year as against last year, first of all because last year was a nine-month period and this is a full 12-month period. It is true that there were visits here by distinguished representatives of EEC countries. There were meetings here and a summit here of Heads of State. I do not think there is much substance in Deputy Fitzgerald's point. I do not think that he himself thinks there is.
Does inflation enter into it?
(Cavan): Of course, it does.
I am merely trying to probe out information. I think there is a substantial increase— £10,000. Does that figure cover the cost of entertaining persons in relation to our EEC presidency and other entertainment of distinguished persons?
(Cavan): The Deputy appreciates that this is an estimate. I am told that the cost of housing the summit meeting and the other meetings of EEC persons and visits here would be considerably more than £10,000.
So, in fact, this estimate may be inadequate to a substantial degree?
(Cavan): I am not saying that. I tell the Deputy it is an estimate.
Would there not be some recoupment from EEC funds in respect of accommodation?
(Cavan): No, not for entertainment here.
But for accommodation?
(Cavan): Nor for accommodation, no.
The host country must provide accommodation at its own expense?
(Cavan): I am not sure about that.
Vote put and agreed to.