Colm M. Hilliard
Question:119 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the increase under Subhead F of Vote 2 in the 1997 Estimates for the Public Service. [1455/97]
Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.
The increase of £411,000 over 1996 in the 1997 allocation for allowances to or in respect of certain former Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas is due to the provision of £400,000 for payments under the Oireachtas (Termination Allowances) Regulations, 1992 to those Members who either decide not to contest or unsuccessfully contest the forthcoming general election. An additional £11,000 is included to provide for an increase in the pensions paid to the three widows of pre-1960 Members of the Dáil who are not covered by the current Members' pension scheme.
Colm M. Hilliard
Question:120 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the figure of £35.2 million was estimated under Subhead E of Vote 10, in the 1997 Estimates for the Public Service. [1456/97]
Colm M. Hilliard
Question:121 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a breakdown of the figure of £25 million for rent and rates contained in Subhead F3 of Vote 10 in the 1997 Estimates for the Public Service. [1457/97]
Colm M. Hilliard
Question:122 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the figure of £17.566 million was estimated under Subhead F1 of Vote 10 in the 1997 Estimates for the Public Service. [1458/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 121 and 122 together.
The provisions included in Vote 10 for Subheads E-£35.2 million; F1-£17.566 million and F3-£29 million in the 1997 Abridged Version of the Estimates for the Public Service are based on the outturn in 1996, expected requirements in 1997 and available resources in the context of the Government's spending proposals for this year.
More detailed information on the allocations for Subheads E and F3 will be published in the 1997 Revised Estimates for the Public Service.
Colm M. Hilliard
Question:123 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Finance the reason there is no provision for research and development projects under Vote 11 in the 1997 Estimates for the Public Service. [1459/97]
Minister For Finance (Mr. Quinn)
The funds for research and development projects under the State Laboratory Vote are usually obtained from the EU for specific projects which must be approved in advance. The State Laboratory submitted two proposals for funding for projects in 1997, but unfortunately, these were unsuccessful.