asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the cost of running the Army Equitation School in each of the past six years (b) the number and rank of Army personnel in the school (c) their pay (d) their allowances (e) training costs (f) transportation and accommodation costs (g) veterinary, farrying and other outside costs (h) other costs (i) the total amount for the purchase of horses (j) the total received for the sale of horses (k) any other miscellaneous costs and (l) the prize money won.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Equitation School.
3.
The information sought at (a) of the Deputy's question is not readily calculable and a considerable amount of work and time would be involved in arriving at figures.
As the replies to the other parts of the question are in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate the statement in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Army Equitation School.
1. Number of Army personnel in the school—The number on 31st December, 1973, was 65 comprising—(a) Officers: One Lieutenant-Colonel; one Commandant; two Captains; seven Lieutenants. (b) Non-commissioned officers: one Sergeant Major; one Company Quartermaster Sergeant; one Company Sergeant; four Sergeants; eight corporals. (c) Privates: 39.
2. Pay, allowances, and so on—At current rates, the pay of the personnel at 1. amounts to £168,791 per annum and their allowances amount to £9,617 per annum. It is estimated that their non-cash emoluments as well as the food issuable to single men cost £24,920 per annum at current rates.
3. Cost of training—A sum of £2,000 was paid to Bord na gCapall in respect of the services rendered by their trainer during 1975 in training riders and horses of the school.
4. Transportation, accommodation and subsistence—The cost of the attendance of riders and horses (with grooms) of the school at horse shows, and so on, during 1975 was £25,345. This sum included the cost of transportation, accommodation and subsistence.
5. Veterinary, farriery and other costs—The following costs were incurred during 1975—(i) veterinary attendance, £3,396; (ii) farriery, £2,398; (iii) purchase and maintenance of harness, saddlery and equipment, £10,012; (iv) forage, £25,945; (v) hunting fees, £200 approximately.
6. Purchase of horses—The amount paid in 1975 in respect of horses purchased for the school was £45,460.
7. Sale of horses—The total amount received in respect of horses sold during 1975 was £3,667.
8. Prize money—Prize money received during 1975 amounted to £7,059.