asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the amount of the Capitation Grant claimed by the Westmeath County Council for the years 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924, for the prevention of tuberculosis, and the amount paid to this body for each year mentioned; further, if he is aware that the amount of this Grant is not equivalent to the amount granted prior to 1920; and if, in view of this and of the bad financial position of the Westmeath Tuberculosis Committee, he will expedite the payment of the Capitation Grant in full.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL GRANT.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
I am answering this question for the Minister for Finance:—
The full amounts claimed by the Westmeath County Council for the undermentioned years have been certified by the Auditor, without deduction, and have been duly paid—Year ended the 31st March, 1922, £560 6s. 4d.; year ended the 31st March, 1923, £645 4s. 6d.
For the year ended the 31st March, 1924, instalments totalling £513 have been issued from the Grant, and the final payment will be made in due course on the Auditor's certificate when the Council's accounts shall have been audited.
The amount due to the Council in respect of the cost of the Tuberculosis Scheme during the year ended the 31st March, 1921, has not yet been certified by the Auditor. In any event the expenditure for that period was incurred during the British administration, and it is noted for submission to the Ministry of Finance in connection with the ultimate financial adjustment between the Irish and British Governments.
So far as I am concerned, therefore, all amounts due to the Westmeath County Council from the National Tuberculosis Grant have been paid.
The rates of recoupment from the grant allowed at present are the same as those in operation from the commencement of the scheme.
Is the Minister aware that the amounts mentioned by him for 1922 have not been paid to the Committee of the Westmeath Tuberculosis Board by the Westmeath County Council?
I am not aware of that.
Would the Minister get in touch with the Secretary of the County Council with a view to having this paid to the Committee, who are so much in need of funds?
I will inquire into the matter and find if what the Deputy alleges is true.