Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 Apr 1937

Vol. 66 No. 4

Committee on Finance. - Vote 21—Miscellaneous Expenses.

Mr. Derrig

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £7,355 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1938, chun Costaisí Ilghnéitheacha áirithe, maraon le Deontaisí áirithe i gCabhair.

That a sum not exceeding £7,355 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1938, for certain Miscellaneous Expenses, including certain Grants-in-Aid.

Mr. Flinn

The amount provided for the year 1937-38 is £9,855, which shows a net increase of £600 over the amount provided last year. This Vote provides for payments of grants-in-aid of the expenses of various societies and institutions connected with the promotion of art and literature, etc., in the Saorstát, details of which are given in the printed Estimate, and of the expenses of the Estate Duty and Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Appeals. The increase this year is accounted for by a provision of £1,200 as an initial grant-in-aid of a publication contemplated by the Royal Irish Academy called Contributions to Lexicography of Early Irish. The full details have yet to be settled with the Academy. This is offset by a reduction of £100 in the grant payable to the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, which is a variable figure dependent on the expenses of that Society in keeping the Roll of Solicitors, and a reduction of £500 in the expenses provided for temporary arbitrators under the Acquisition of Lands Act.

Mr. T. Kelly

I suggest, Sir, that the Minister might take into consideration the question of increasing the grant of £300 to the cultural societies mentioned in the Estimate. That is certainly a very small sum considering the position we are in at present. I see from time to time that the Minister for Finance acknowledges in the public Press more or less substantial sums received as conscience money. What does he do with that conscience money? Could he not distribute it amongst these cultural societies? I think it would be a good way of disposing of it. I make the suggestion for what it is worth.

Mr. Flinn

I promise to pass on the suggestion that the Minister should disburden his conscience of any conscience money he still possesses in the way the Deputy has indicated. I shall make that recommendation to him.

Vote put and agreed to.