I move:
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £1,757 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1964, for certain Miscellaneous Expenses, including certain Grants-in-Aid.
As this is the first occasion on which a Supplementary Estimate for this purpose is being introduced, I feel I should give some details of what I consider to be the necessity for this Estimate. It is required to enable a grant-in-aid of £1,757 to be paid to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. It is the first time that State aid is being given directly to the society.
The society has, since its inception, been doing social work of considerable value to the community. Its inspectors —18 in number—secure in appropriate circumstances the committal to suitable institutions of children who have been ill-treated, deserted or abandoned and of the children of unmarried mothers. Not only does the society seek to prevent cruelty and neglect and to afford relief when they occur, it also—and it is on this that the society itself lays greatest weight—tries to achieve greater harmony and stability in families threatened with a break-up. Its work involves helping the whole family, not only the children, and through well-timed and tactful intervention its inspectors are often able to help in effecting reconciliation even in cases where all hope would seem lost. Material assistance is also provided on occasion to families in need. Much of the society's work is of a type which could not be carried out by the Gardaí without court proceedings and the consequent undesirable publicity which would have the effect of prejudicing the re-establishment of harmonious relations within the home.
The society is a voluntary organisation dependent to a large degree on the unpaid efforts of its members and relying for its funds on the charity of the public. In the last two years, its financial position has deteriorated to the point where the society may be forced to curtail its activities. This would be a regrettable matter for the community, especially as the society itself is anxious to extend its beneficial work, not hitherto served by its inspectors.
It can be reasonably urged, therefore, that the State should make a direct contribution to the society's work. Hitherto the health authorities have made small contributions— amounting in all to about £700 to £800 —one-half of which is recouped by the Exchequer. As the health element of the society's work is considerably less than the general social content, it would not be appropriate to increase these grants.
It has been decided, therefore, to make an annual State grant on the basis of £1 for every £1 of current yearly income, net, received by the society, subject to a maximum of £5,000. From discussions with the society, I understand that gives them the amount they require at the moment. In reckoning net current income, donations, legacies and the State grant itself would not be taken into account. As well as having an incentive to develop its activities and add to its subscribers, the society will, with the help of the State grant, be enabled to put its finances on a better foundation and to expand its activities to the advantage of the community, especially those weakest members— the neglected or abandoned children.
