asked the Minister for Finance, if he will state the amount of State subsidy given to the Abbey Theatre in each of the past ten years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Abbey Theatre: State Subsidy.
11.
The amounts paid as grants in aid of the Abbey Theatre, in accordance with votes of Dáil Éireann, during the nine years 1950-51 to 1958-59 are set out in the Appropriation Accounts for the Vote for Miscellaneous Expenses for each of those financial years; these Accounts have been presented to the House. The amount paid in 1959-60 was £14,000. No other State subsidy has been paid to the Abbey Theatre during the period in question.
Did they not get any money from us?
We paid them £14,000 over the year.
And in the previous years?
Yes.
Could the Minister not tell us that?
The amounts contained in the Appropriation Accounts.
The Minister is refusing to tell me.
I am telling the Deputy where he will get the information.
The Minister is ashamed because he is subsidising empty seats in the Abbey Theatre.
Question No. 12 postponed.