asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the items covered by sub-head D.1 of the Supplementary Estimate for Public Works and Buildings and the destination of the furniture, fittings and utensils for the purchase of which the additional sum was required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Works Supplementary Estimate.
The information desired by the Deputy is not available in detailed form. The figure for sub-head D.1 shown at Part II of the Estimates is made up of the total of over 80 separate items shown in Part III, and these in turn comprise in many cases a large number of individual buildings. The trend of expenditure on the sub-head generally during the first nine months of the year indicates, as I stated in introducing the Supplementary Estimate, that demands arising from the various services were greater than anticipated when the original Estimates were being prepared, but the allocation as between these services will not be available until the Appropriation Accounts for the year have been closed. Apart from the general factor of under-estimation, it is known that purchases for legations abroad and devaluation have contributed to the excess.
I asked the Parliamentary Secretary to give us some information as to the amount of this Supplementary Estimate which was attributable to the increase in cost abroad as a result of devaluation and the amount of the Estimate so expended. I asked him also to give me information as to the offices in respect of which the furniture, fittings and utensils were required. While it may be difficult to state completely the exact location of this equipment, I would be satisfied if I could get a rough indication of the places in respect of which this amount was spent.
I regard the Parliamentary Secretary as attempting to evade my question although he promised to give the details on another occasion.
I have just given them.
With the permission of the Chair, I intend to raise this matter on the adjournment.