asked the Minister for Defence what percentage of the funds spent on Civil Defence is given by the State, and what percentage by local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Defence.
85.
Fifty per cent. of expenditure by Bárdas Átha Cliath and 60 per cent. of expenditure by other Local Authorities up to 31 Márta, 1961, was borne by the State. As from 1 Aibreán, 1961, civil defence expenditure incurred by all Local Authorities will be grant-aided to the extent of 70 per cent.—the maximum permitted by the Air Raid Precautions Acts for civil defence expenditure other than expenditure on the provision of Food and Rest Centres for which grants up to 100 per cent. of the cost may be authorised.
86.
asked the Minister for Defence whether Civil Defence officers of his Department are in touch with similar officers in countries such as Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Austria; and whether civil defence problems common to such countries are discussed between the various Defence Departments concerned.
Direct contact has not been established between officers of my Department concerned with Civil Defence and their counterparts in countries such as Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Austria. My Department does, however, endeavour to keep abreast at all times of civil defence developments in these countries by reference to published information supplemented, where necessary, by information obtained through normal diplomatic channels.