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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 4

Written Answers. - Houses of the Oireachtas Estimate.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Question:

60 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the reason a sum of £15,000 was removed from the sum sought under Subhead A1 of the Estimate for the Houses of the Oireachtas by his Department in view of the increasing demand for staff to service new and existing committees of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Estimates for all Departments and offices of State are proposed by the Government to Dáil Éireann after the specific proposals made by those Departments or offices have been examined by the Department of Finance with a view to ensuring that the proposed allocations are compatible with the Government's budgetary objectives. This process frequently results in the amount allocated being lower than that sought. In the case of the Houses of the Oireachtas, there is agreement that before proposals are made to Government, the Minister for Finance should consult the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of Dáil Éireann. The amended Estimates proposals which embodied the reduction mentioned by the Deputy were the subject of such consultations.

I should mention to the Deputy that no staffing proposals made to my Department since the preparation of the current Estimate have been rejected on the basis of the Estimates allocation being inadequate and that the accounting arrangements which apply to public services allow, where warranted, moneys to be vired between the different subheads of a Vote.
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