asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of his Department the amount by which the January 1981 Estimates under-provided for charges known to have existed at the time of the approval of the Estimates by the then Government; and in the case of the shortfall in provisions in relation to basic pay if he will state the areas in which such shortfalls occurred and the number of weeks' basic pay which the shortfall constituted for each such area.
Written Answers. - Estimates Under-provision.
249.
The 1981 Estimates for my Department did not under-provide for charges known to have existed at the time of approval of the Estimates by the then Government. The initial provision of £20,000 for the National Concert Hall was only tentative and a more accurate estimate of costs for the year was not feasible until the National Concert Hall Company had been established. A Supplementary Estimate of £130,000 for the company was passed prior to the summer recess. A subsequent adjustment of the pay provision for my Department was necessary due to pay increases awarded after the Estimates had been settled. The cost was met from savings on other subheads in the Vote for my Department.