asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps to ensure that all Government pay orders are cashable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Pay Orders.
15.
Because of the magnitude of the amounts involved it would not be feasible to provide for the encashment of all Government payable orders. Revenue is being received mainly in the form of cheques which in the circumstances are not negotiable and, therefore, there is only a limited amount of money available for the encashment of payable orders.
Provision has been made for the encashment of payable orders issued in payment of salaries and pensions. Where builders and other contractors performing work for Government Departments and State-sponsored bodies have shown that their cash flow is insufficient to meet salary and wage bills, facilities have been provided for payment to them in cash. This is the most that can be done at present.
Is the Minister aware that considerable inconvenience is being caused to the agricultural community in that they cannot cash grants and subsidies that ordinarily become available to them? A similar position is also coming about in the city where people cannot cash those payable orders.
I am aware that a number of people are experiencing considerable difficulty as a result of this dispute.
(Cavan): Could the Minister say why some Govvernment cheques or payable orders can be cashed and others cannot?
I have already explained that: there is a limit to the amount of cash available——
Why?
——and we have endeavoured to draw up a scheme of priorities.
Why do the Government not print enough?
Is the Minister seriously suggesting that the Government cannot obtain cash from the Central Bank?
I am not saying the Government cannot obtain cash. I said there is a limit to it.
Why is there a limit?
The Deputy can work it out.
I should like the Minister to give me an answer. The Government get cheques but are unable to receive cash from the Central Bank in exchange for these cheques.
I have said it twice, if not three times, and I will say it once more: there is a limit to the cash available.
Surely there is a shortage of cash because the Government are not facilitating the circulation of cash.
I am calling Question No. 16.
(Cavan): Surely it is discrimination when Members of this House and members of the Government, who could be considered responsible for settling this strike, can have their cheques cashed while ordinary people who are due money by the Government cannot have their payable orders cashed. Surely that calls for some action.
I should like to comment on that unfair implication.
(Cavan): It is not a bit unfair. It is realistic.
The position is that a number of normal post office services are being maintained and cash is being provided in that way. Unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance, old age pensions, widows' pensions and children's allowances are all being met in cash.
Would the Minister not agree that his statement reveals a most extraordinary position? If, in fact, I go into the First National City Bank with a cheque I can get cash. Is the Government's position such that, if they want to cash a cheque, they cannot go to the Central Bank and get cash in the same way?
I have not said the Government cannot get cash.
The Minister said there is a limit to the amount they can get. Why is there a limit?
Question No. 16.