Tairgim:
Go ndeonófar suim nach mó ná £6,339,200 chun slánaithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1964, le haghaidh Tuarastail agus Costais Oifig an Aire Cosanta, lena n-áirítear Seirbhísí áirithe atá faoi riaradh na hOifige sin; le haghaidh Pá agus Costais Óglaigh na hÉireann; agus chun Deontas-i-gCabhair a íoc.
Is mór an méid airgid atáim ghá iarraidh sa Mheastachán seo. Tá os cionn £600,000 de bhreis ann thar anuraidh. Dhá rud do-sheachainte faoi ndear é a bheith amhlaidh—siad siúd ceannach trí heiliceaptair ar archinn an Rialtais de bharr choibhriú dhaoine ag sneachta an gheimhridh agus in ndáil le sábháil ó chontúirt ar an bhfairrge, agus soláthar taisceán éadaigh agus ábhar éidí a raibh géar-ghá leis. Is ar éigean gur cuibhe meastachán na Roinne Cosanta a bheith thíos le cos-tas na heiliceaptar, ach san am céanna níl aon bhrainse eile den seirbhís phoiblí a d'fhéadfadh gníomhú go h-éfeachtach thar cheann an Rialtais chun na críche seo ach Aer-Chór an Airm. Ar an ábhar sin, titeann sé ar chrann na Roinne Cosanta a bheith i bhfeighil na seirbhísí nua seo.
Tá iarrtha orainn cathlán eile agus scabhdrún armúrtha eile a chur ar fáil don Chongo ach idir an dá aonad ní bheidh mórán thar chúig céad fear ar fad. Chuile sheans go n-iarrfar saighdiúiri ar an tír seo chomh fada is a bhéas misiún míleata sa Chongo ag na Náisiúin Aontaithe. I ndiaidh an oiread sin námhadais don fhórsa idirnáisiúnta a bheith curtha i leith mhuintir an Chongo, ba taithneamhach iad na tuairiscí ar an bhfáilte chroiúil a cuireadh roimh na hÉireannaigh ag iondúirí bhailte mór áirithe agus ar an impí agus ar an achaine uatha le h-iad a choinneál ina measc. Tá súil agam gur gearr eile go mbí deire le gá saighdiúirí eachtracha a bheith faoi bhratach na Náisiún Aontaithe sa gCongo—ach luath nó mall is féidir linn, a gcomh-Éireannaigh, a bheith bródúil as an gcaoi a d'iompraíodar iad féin agus as an meas atá ar an gcabhair a thugadar an fhad agus a bhíodar ag fónachtáil thar lear i gcúis na síochána domhanda.
Is mian liom buíochas a ghlacadh, in athuair, leo siúd, daoine agus cóluch-taí a sholáthraigh soláistí do na h-óglaigh thar lear. Cé go bhfuil feabhas mór ar an saol sa Chongo acu le tamall anois thar mar ba chás do na céad dreamanna a chuaigh amach ann as Éirinn, san am céanna is mór an sás agus an só do na fir seo againne an dea-ghuí agus an buan-chuimhne atá taobh thiar de na soláistí breise seo dóibh, agus, ar an gcaoi sin, cothaíonn siad meanma na bhfear. I ndáil leis an bpriacal seo de sheirbhís i gcéin, is ceart cuimhniú orthu siúd sa mbaile ar thit sé go trom orthu: na foirne na ceannasa, ochtaí agus na córaí a mb'éigin dóibh feachaint chuige nach mbeadh ar na h-aonaid amach ach an scoth de threalamh, de eagrú is de oileadh, mar ba gnách le gach aonad eile rompu. Ba luide a gcabhair agus a n-ábaltacht chuige seo a raíbh ag imeacht uathu amach, ach, in ainneoin sin, níor leo ab fhailli é. Tá siad le moladh.
Faoin Nollaig coimisiúnadh fiche oifigeach nea-choimisiúnta ar éirigh leo i gcúrsa i gcomhair ábhar oifigigh. Ceapacháin riaracháin agus stórais is mó a bhéas ag na h-oifigigh nua seo. Is mór an creidiúint dóibh gur chruthaíodar go h-an-mhaith sa scrúdú a cuireadh orthu. Táthar ag meá cén uair a bhéas an céad chúrsa eile dá short ann.
Bíonn an tseirbhís chabhlaigh ag plé i gcónaí le cosaint iascaigh mhara. Ach tá cúram eile uirthi freisin. Bíonn sí ag faire i gcónaí ina bunáit in Inis Sionnach i gcomhair scéalta cruatain agus contúirte ó shoithigh ar an bhfairrge agus ó shoithigh aer os cionn na fairrge; agus bíonn sí réidh i gcónaí chun cuidiú le gach iarracht tarrthála taobh istigh dá raon loing-seoireachta.
Sé a fhearacht céanna ag an Aer-Chór á—taobh amuigh dá phríomhdhualgas, comhlíonann sé feidhmeanna eile, mar shompla, tréineáil phíolóití do Aer Lingus.
Tá ar fáil uaidh freisin, seirbhís ghriangrafadóireachta ón aer do ranna rialtais ach go mór-mhór don Suirbhéireacht Ordanáis. Tá an tseirbhís seo ag eírigh níos tábhachtaí le h-imeacht aimsire i gcomhchéim le dul-ar-aghaidh na h-eolaíochta i gcoitinne.
Tá mór-chuid de na fórsaí ins an Slua Muirí agus An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil. Tá an náisiún faoi chomaoin ag an dá dhream deóntacha seo a thugann an oiread sin dá gcuid ama agus dúrachta i rith na bliana agus ins na campaí Samhraidh le ceard na cosanta náisiúnta a fhoghlaim.
Maireann i gcónaí cúrsaí tréineála na bprintíseach san Aer-Chór agus san Arm. Is iondual go gceaptar cúigear caogad de phrintísigh do Scoil an Airm agus suas le seisear tríochad don Aer-Chór de bharr gach comórtais printíseachta faoi seach acu. Tugann teagascóirí oilte uathu cruinneolas ar cheirdeanna iomadúla. Tá aithint cheirde le fáil ar an tréineáil seo óna h-eagraíochta cheard-chumann ach na cúrsaí a bheith críochnaithe go sásúlacht na n-údarás míleata.
Cé nach beadaí é an saighdiúir tuigeann sé an difir idir chóiríocht mhaith, measartha agus dona. Ní dóigh liom gur féidir a rá go bhfuil sí go dona anois in aon dún nó stáisiún. Le blianta beaga anuas, tógadh hallaí itheacháin agus tithe chócaireachta nua, aeracha, agus feabhsaíodh na ceathrúnaí. codlata. Tá éadach ola ar na h-urláir, mataí urláir cois leaba agus troscán nua-aoiseach ins na ceathrúnaí. Má bhíonn timpeallacht an tsaighdiúir taithneamhach beidh snas agus éifeacht dá réir ar an saighdiúireacht agus beidh sé níos sásta slí maireachtála a dhéanamh di. Tuigeann foireann cheannais an airm do na cúinsí seo, agus níl sí faillíoch iontu.
Taobh amuigh de cheist shaighdiúirí don Chongo, sí an chosaint shibhialta ba mhó práinne agus priacail san mbliain atá imithe tharainn. Is dócha gur mar sin a bhéas, an fhad is a bhéas blas adamhach ar aighneas idirnáisiúnta. Ach an oiread le tír bheag ar bith eile, níl aon neart againn ar aon chnámh spáirne idir na cinn mhóra; ach caithfimid breathnú amach inár gcomhair féin i ndáil leis seo— agus sin díreach mar tá an eagraíocht, a dtugtar Chosaint Shibhialta uirthi, ghá dhéanamh dúinn. Is mór atá an tír faoi chomaoin ag na diograiseoirí deontacha seo atá án-eagrú is á n-ullmhú á gcoiriú is á n-oileadh féin ar mhaithe leis an gcomharsain i gcoinne an uafáis adamaigh a bhfuil an oiread sin faitís ar an gcine daonna roimhe de bharr mí-réitigh idirnáisiúnta.
Chuathas ar aghaidh leis an earcaíocht agus leis an tréineáil i rith na bliana. De bharr obair na bliana tá trí mhile comhalta sa mbreis san eagraíocht anois a fháganns deich míle agus seacht gcéad de neart intí ar fad. Ní rabhthas sásta le foghlaim agus tréineáil leo féin—reachtáileadh cleachtais gníomhachta freisin leis an bhfoghlaim agus an treineáil sin a thastáil. Bhí na cleachtais sin sáchréaddúil ainneoin an crot mar dhóigh dhe a bhí orthu. Chonaiceas cuid de na cleachtais seo agus chuaidh stuaim agus deaslámhacht na gcleachtaiseóiri i bhfeidhm orm. Is mór an cúnamh iad chun barr feabhais a chur ar inniúlacht na mball, agus chun esprit-de-corps agus coimhlint na gcarad a chothú ina measc. B'ait le duine “na h-Éamoinn” seo a fheiceál ag obair as láimh a chéile ag fuascailt faidhbe tarrthála. Cogadh nó síocháin, is fóintiúl an oiliúint í seo am ar bith agus is fánach mar d'fheadfadh si fónachtáil don charaid nó don chomharsain agus an oiread sin cor is féidir leis an gnáthshaol a chur dhe. Mar sin, is maith ann An Chosaint Shibhialta.
This Estimate is for the sum of £9,652,400 gross and, after the deduction of Appropriations in Aid, £9,508,700 net, an increase of £660,600 over the net estimate for 1962-63. It will be seen that the increase is largely accounted for by a provision of £273,000 for helicopters and an increased provision of £237,949 for clothing, both of which I will be referring to further in the course of my statement.
Deputies will notice that the Estimate is presented in a revised format which brings together under single subheads items which were previously scattered over a number of subheads. For instance, the entire pay of the Permanent Defence Force is now concentrated in one subhead, as are also the Permanent Defence Force allowances. It is hoped that these changes will make it easier for the House to obtain a picture of the proposed expenditure under the principal broad headings.
The estimate for the pay of the Permanent Defence Force is, as usual, based on the full peace establishment of 1,359 officers and 11,607 men, with deductions in respect of the numbers by which the actual strength is likely to be below establishment over the year. The net average strength for which the Estimate provides is 1,148 officers, 110 cadets and 7,500 other ranks.
I think that the House has found it convenient on previous occasions that, before proceeding to an analysis of the Estimate, a reasonably comprehensive survey should be make of the work of the Department, the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence organisation during the previous financial year, and I propose, therefore, to follow that course again on this occasion.
During the past year, the policy of providing a contingent for the United Nations force in the Congo has been continued by the Government. We have in the Congo at present the 38th Battalion and the No. 2 Armoured Car Squadron. The latter unit, consisting of 95 officers and men, was the first of its kind to be supplied by this country, and is equipped with vehicles provided by the United Nations. In addition, there are some 50 officers and non-commissioned officers employed on miscellaneous staff duties, mainly at the Force Headquarters at Leopoldville. One of these, a Colonel, is Chief of Staff to the Force Commander. In all, a strength of between 800 and 900 officers and men has been maintained in the Congo throughout the past year. They have upheld the high standard of conduct and efficiency set by our troops in the Congo from the outset. None of our men was killed in action during the year, but I regret that one officer and a non-commissioned officer were killed accidentally.
During December and January last, the 38th Battalion had a major role in the most recent operations in Katanga Province. Their objective was the important town of Kipushi which they succeeded in taking virtually without using force. The unit suffered only one minor casualty. Later they established excellent relations with the townspeople. The 38th Battalion is now located at the important Katangan mining centres of Kolwezi and Jadot-ville.
The prospects of settled conditions in the Congo are now better and the United Nations is reducing the strength of its force there. The next Irish Battalion and Armoured Car Squadron to go to the Congo will be of a reduced total strength of approximately 500 officers and men compared with a total of 800 in the case of the 38th Battalion and the No. 2 Armoured Car Squadron. We shall all welcome the day when the presence of a United Nations force in the Congo will no longer be necessary.
In August last, we supplied two officers from our Congo units to the UN military observers in New Guinea, and we have one officer on duty in Palestine.
I once again wish to thank the individuals and firms who have provided comforts for our troops overseas. While the conditions under which the troops now serve in the Congo are considerably improved since the early days of the undertaking, the additional comforts are a valuable contribution to the welfare and morale of the troops.
I now leave the realm of overseas commitments and turn to matters closer home, but not without expressing appreciation of the continued work of the staffs, commands and corps which have succeeded in ensuring, despite difficulties, that the organisation, equipping and training of the units sent to the Congo have been maintained at a very high standard, and have at the same time, despite the absence of so many of our troops overseas, carried on the trying and less spectacular home duties and training.
Twenty former non-commissioned officers who successfully completed a potential officers' course were appointed officers in December to fill appointments as stores officer, administrative officer and assistant quartermaster. The question of when the next such course will be held is under consideration.
The Naval Service continues to be occupied with the demanding problem of fishery protection. The service provides, on behalf of the Department of Transport and Power, a 24-hour service for the receipt and dissemination of marine distress messages and for the co-ordination of rescue efforts. It also takes part in air-sea rescue operations as required, within the limit of its resources.
Not alone does the Air Corps fulfil a military task but it also operates a scheme for the training of pilots for Aer Lingus. This Corps is finding great difficulty in obtaining and retaining personnel because of outside competition. Another feature of the Corps' activities is aerial photography on behalf of the Ordnance Survey and a number of Government Departments and Offices. The Corps will also be responsible for the operation of the helicopter service.
An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muiri continue to supply a large proportion of our military force. It gives me great pleasure once again to acknowledge the debt we owe to the members of these components of the Defence Forces for the time and effort which they devote to training, and especially for their attendance at the annual summer camps.
The schemes of training of apprentices in Scoil Phrintísigh an Airm and in the Air Corps continue. Upwards of 55 apprentices are appointed as a result of each annual competition for Scoil Phrintísigh an Airm while up to 36 are appointed from each such competition for the Air Corps. Training is given by skilled instructors in a wide variety of trades, and the trades union organisations have agreed that personnel trained and qualified under the Schemes may be accepted as journeymen and, on return to civil life, admitted as members of the appropriate trade unions.
In 1962, teams from Scoil Eachaíochta an Airm competed in eight International Horse Shows—Dublin, London, Lucerne, Barcelona, Harris-burg, Washington, New York and Toronto. At these shows they won seven first, seven second and four third prizes. Teams from An Scoil competed also at 17 Irish provincial shows.
It has been decided that teams from An Scoil will attend six International Shows in 1963—Nice, Rome, Dublin, Harrisburg (USA), New York and Toronto. This relatively light programme of International Shows will enable An Scoil to concentrate on training and building up the team.
Four horses for An Scoil have been acquired to date in the financial year 1962-63—one at £2,000, two at £650 and one at £495. As Deputies will see from the Estimates, the provision for the purchase of horses in 1963-64 has been increased to £12,000 as against £7,000 in 1962-63. In this connection I would like to correct an impression which appears to be widespread despite a categorical statement to the contrary, made by my predecessor on 18th April, 1961, when replying to the debate on the 1961-62 Estimate—namely, that there is a specific limit to the amount which may be paid for a horse for An Scoil. There is, in fact, no such limit. Each case is considered on its merits but naturally the Horse Purchase Board considers that it is incumbent on it to buy to the best advantage.
Last year, I referred to the arrangements being made for the inclosure of portion of the Curragh in accordance with the provisions of the Curragh of Kildare Act, 1961. The inclosure was effected in time for the Irish Derby and, as a condition precedent to the inclosure, a number of sheep-grazing rights commensurate with the area involved were extinguished.
Steps are being taken at present to prepare by-laws under the Act in relation to the Curragh and the management and control of it. These by-laws will be designed primarily to prevent unauthorised use of the property and to control effectively the exercise of sheep-grazing rights.
Returns from the local authorities show that in the course of the past twelve months there has been an over-all net increase, allowing for wastage, of some 3,000 volunteers in the Civil Defence organisation, making the current strength approximately 10,700.
I must make special mention of the continued improvement in the position of the warden service. County chief wardens have been selected for each county and about two-thirds of them have undergone courses in the Civil Defence School. Similarly, sub-county wardens have been selected in all counties and these will be trained on lines similar to the county chief wardens. Greatest progress has, however, been made at district warden level. For this key appointment, some 630 persons are required. Of these about 560 or 90 per cent of the total have been selected and about 300 have been trained.
I am happy to say that we have got an excellent response from people who have the qualities of leadership to accept the responsibilities of district warden. Our volunteers in this field are very representative of various classes and professions. In some counties great progress in the training of District Wardens is being made by resorting to short full-time courses, of about a week's duration. This arrangement has been found feasible in Counties Roscommon, Galway and Sligo-Leitrim, with the result that these counties are now well advanced in their district warden organisation. Other counties have made great progress in their warden training over a period of months, the training being carried out locally by specially trained district warden instructors.
At local level, training of members of the rescue, welfare, casualty and auxiliary fire services continued steadily and there was a marked spread in the number and location of training centres.
Similarly, the number of training courses conducted by my Department at An Scoil Cosanta Sibhialta during the year also increased. In all there were 22 courses in which a total of 609 persons participated. The courses could be broadly described as being in two categories—those for potential instructors, for the local Civil Defence organisation, for the Army and the Garda, and those for the training of the county control element of Civil Defence.
In the course of the year, ten new fire engines were made available to selected local authorities for the training of the Auxiliary Fire Service. These engines also constitute a significant addition to the national stock of firefighting equipment and it is intended to provide a further 15 in the course of the next few years.
It has always been recognised by my Department that a very important contribution to the membership and skill of the Casualty Service of Civil Defence could be made by the Unit members of Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann, the St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland and the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps. The existing arrangements for the participation of members of these three societies in Civil Defence had not proved as satisfactory as was originally hoped and so it was necessary, during the year, to review these arrangements in conjunction with the joint committee of the three societies. Following this, I had discussions with the heads of the three societies, at which substantial agreement was reached on revised measures to govern the co-ordination and participation of these organisations in Civil Defence.
Last year, I referred to the question of providing control centres at county and regional levels. From surveys and examinations which technical officers of my Department have made in a number of counties, it appears that, contrary to what had been hoped, it may be exceedingly difficult to set up control centres in existing public buildings. On account of this and other difficulties there has not been the progress in this work that had been expected. Every effort will be made to achieve the maximum progress in the establishment of these centres in the coming year, and the provisions made in the Estimate for 1962/63 are being repeated, namely £50,000 for grants in respect of county and sub-county control centres and £10,000 for regional control centres.
Two of the main activities during the year have been local exercises and local training courses. Local exercises have shown a considerable increase in numbers and they may be expected to show a further increase during the coming year. Indeed, I may say that such exercises are not only important from the point of view of organisational well-being and esprit de corps but they are essential for the development and maintenance of an efficient organisation. As far as it was possible I made a point of attending these exercises and courses and other civil defence functions during the year and it was gratifying to me to see that on all occasions members of the Oireachtas were taking a keen interest in the development of Civil Defence. Their active interest and encouragement can be a very significant factor, because the building up, in peacetime, of an efficient Civil Defence organisation is—as I have said on another occasion—uphill work that is sometimes frustrating and unrewarding for those engaged in it, be they volunteers or officials.
Turning to the subheads, I may commence by observing that a number of them show little change from last year. I will confine myself, therefore, to speaking about those in which there is a substantial variation or in which specific comment would otherwise be helpful to the House.
In Subhead B—Pay of the Permanent Defence Force—provision is made for a somewhat smaller strength than was provided for in 1962/63, and this explains the saving of £14,625. Subhead C—Allowances of the Permanent Defence Force—shows an increase of £10,045. This is mainly attributable to increased rates of ration allowance. In Subhead D, which relates to the pay, allowances, grants and other expenses of the Reserve Defence Force, there is an increase of £31,730. In recent years, the tendency has been towards better and longer attendances at training and courses, particularly on the part of An Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil, and this necessitates the increased provision which I have mentioned.
Subhead G—Civil Defence—makes provision for £247,391, much the same as the provision for 1962-63. The sum of £91,948 for grants to local authorities includes £50,000 in respect of county and sub-county controls, to which I have already referred, about £18,500 in respect of central and local training, about £11,600 in respect of storage, servicing and maintenance of equipment and £10,600 in respect of administration. The sum of £159,739 for equipment and stores includes £71,600 in respect of warden service equipment, £22,600 in respect of auxiliary fire service equipment, £20,200 in respect of casualty service equipment, £18,300 for uniform clothing for civil defence personnel, £14,000 for instructional equipment for the Civil Defence School and smaller sums for rescue service and welfare service equipment. The sum of £21,000 for regional controls, etc., includes the specific provision of £10,000 in respect of the regional controls which I mentioned earlier, £9,000 for certain equipment and £2,000 for national and regional exercises and competitions.
The provision of £450,000 under subhead H for Defensive Equipment is the same as that for 1962-63. As I have stated on previous occasions, we have not yet built up anything like full mobilisation stocks of defensive equipment and proposed purchases for 1963-64 represent only a further instalment towards this end. While we do not spend a lot of money on equipment of this nature, I can assure Deputies that what we do spend is spent to the very best advantage in the purchase of the most modern and up-to-date conventional arms available.
Subhead J—Mechanical Transport— shows an over-all increase of £36,200 as compared with 1962-63, £5,000 of which is accounted for by increased vehicle maintenance costs. The provision of £116,520 for capital expenditure on vehicles is £31,200 higher than the corresponding provision last year. This is due to an increase of £28,000 in the provision for the purchase of new vehicles, including £16,800 for artillery prime movers, £6,100 for a fire tender and £6,500 for an aircraft refueller, and to an increase of £3,200 on advances, which will be repaid, to officers for the purchase of motor cars for use on duty with An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, An Slua Muiri, An Cór Breathnadóirí and An tSeirbhís Cosanta Sibhialta.
Subhead M—Clothing and Equipment—shows an increase of £237,949 as compared with the corresponding provision in 1962-63. The principal reason for this is the proposed purchase, at an estimated cost of £200,203, of a relatively small reserve stock of soldiers' uniform—about two-thirds of a normal year's requirements of the principal items. This will serve a dual purpose. First, it will enable essential issues to be made to soldiers as they are required without having to await deliveries against the current year's contracts, which are often slow. Issues which have to be made from the reserve stock will be replaced subsequently from normal annual purchases. Secondly, the reserve stock will help to meet a special need of additional uniform clothing in the event of an emergency.
Subhead O.1 — General Stores — shows a net increase of £21,312 as compared with 1962-63. This is made up of a gross increase of £73,078 under certain headings, partially offset by reductions totalling £51,766 under others. The largest increases are £44,608 in respect of signal equipment and £21,135 in respect of radiac instruments, items which would be particularly useful in maintaining communications and saving life in the event of hostilities involving destruction of telephonic communication and the presence of radio-active fall-out. The decrease under the heading of Aircraft is due to the non-repetition of a provision of £40,307 made in 1962-63 for a Dove aeroplane, partially offset by some new increases, such as £7,000 for a new Link Trainer and an additional £6,000 approximately for maintenance.
As Deputies are already aware from the announcement of the Minister for Transport and Power in this House on 22nd January last, An Rialtas has decided to establish a helicopter service for air/sea rescue work and for other emergencies. This service will be under the aegis of my Department and Subhead O.2 of this Estimate makes provision, in the sum of £273,000, for the purchase during 1963-64 of three helicopters—£250,000; additional aviation spirit for their operation— £3,000; and special training courses abroad for pilots—£20,000.
The provision under Subhead S— Buildings—is practically the same as that for 1962/63. About threequarters of the total provision is required for the ordinary maintenance of barrack buildings and roads, the balance being in respect of miscellaneous new works.
With regard to soldiers' married quarters, I might mention that 162 new houses have now been erected in recent years throughout the country. A further eight houses are at present in course of erection and are expected to be completed in 1963/64. It is hoped to commence the erection of a further 20 new houses in Athlone in replacement of old married quarters which have been condemned and which could not be modernised, and it is the intention to continue the policy of supplementing local authorities' efforts in the provision of housing by providing, from the Vote for Defence, houses for married soldiers at centres throughout the country where the need is greatest from time to time.
While dealing with this subhead, I think I should also mention that some new dining halls and cookhouses for soldiers have been built over the past few years and many of the older type dining halls and cookhouses, as well as older type billet rooms which are structurally sound, have been modernised. Considerable progress has also been made in providing modern toilet and ablution facilities in barracks, the aim generally being to bring the accommodation for soldiers living in barracks up to modern standards of comfort, cleanliness and hygiene. It is the intention to continue with this work.
Subhead T, at £96,035, shows an increase of £7,405 over the corresponding provision last year. The increase is accounted for largely by the necessity for furniture for a new girls' school erected at the Curragh and for additional bedding.
Under this subhead, also, attention continues to be given to the improvement of amenities for soldiers living in barracks. A programme in this regard which has been pursued for some years past has been speeded up in the last few years. The old timber forms and trestle tables used in dining halls are being replaced with modern tubular steel chairs and plastic topped tables and, in the billets, the floors are being covered with attractive coloured linoleum, and steel wardrobes, new beds, bedside lockers, bedside rugs, writing tables, etc., are being provided.
The increase of £6,473 in Subhead U is mainly caused by increased transport charges and that of £15,042 in Subhead V is caused by the increased rates of employers' contributions.
Provision for Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann to the extent of £23,000 is made under Subhead AA. It shows an increase of £6,550 compared with 1962/63. This arises from increased expenditure on salaries, pensions fund contributions, rent, rates, telephone charges, heating, lighting, travelling costs, etc. It is necessary, therefore, to provide for a sum of £13,550 for the normal activities of the society as against £10,000 for this purpose in 1962/63. Furthermore it is considered necessary to provide for a grant of £5,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund compared with £2,000 in 1962/63, as there was a considerable amount paid out of this fund in 1962/63 towards relief for victims of natural disasters. The provision for the White Russian refugees from North China and the State contribution to the International Committee remain at £4,000 and £450 respectively.
The year 1963 is the centenary year of the foundation of the International Red Cross and it is an interesting coincidence that the Irish ratification of the 1949 Geneva Conventions for the protection of war victims comes into force this year. The society in this country is continuing its excellent work in many spheres. White Russian refugees from North China continue to be maintained at Naomh Aindrias, Rathmines, and in the field of international emergency relief the society in the course of the past year has contributed over £2,500 for the victims of the Iranian earthquake, £1,000 for Algerian refugees and £500 in connection with the Pakistan flood disaster. I should like to renew the appeal for help for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign which I made last year, and I take the opportunity of once more thanking the society for its great efforts in the various fields of humanitarian relief.
I think that I have now covered the Estimate in reasonable detail but will, of course, be glad, when closing, to answer any questions that may be raised in the debate and to supply any additional information requested.