Committee Reports::Report - Appropriation Accounts 1963 - 1964::10 March, 1966::Proceedings of the Joint Committee

IMEACHTA AN CHOISTE.

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.

Déardaoin, 10 Márta, 1966.

Thursday, 10th March, 1966.

1. The Committee met at 11 a.m.


2. Members Present.


The following members were present:—


Deputy Jones (in the Chair), Deputies Patrick J. Burke, Patrick Byrne, Flor Crowley, Healy, Patrick Hogan (South Tipperary), Molloy and Treacy.


3. Report of Committee.


The Chairman brought forward a Draft Report for consideration.


(i) Paragraphs 1 to 13, inclusive, agreed to.


(ii) Paragraph 14.


Paragraph read as follows:


“Office of the Minister for Education.


14. A grant-in-aid of £20,250 originally provided for Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge was subsequently increased to £21,450 by supplementary estimate. The Committee understand that the supplementary grant was required to meet commitments for salary increases and other expenses. The Accounting Officer was not clear as to how the funds of this body were disposed of and detailed audited accounts did not appear to be available. He did not think that they had any other source of income. The Committee is of the opinion that where a body is supported solely from public funds it should furnish proper accounts which would be open to the scrutiny and comment of the Comptroller and Auditor General.”


Amendment proposed (Deputy Patrick Byrne):


“In line 10 to delete ‘solely’ and substitute ‘mainly’.”


Amendment agreed to.


Paragraph, as amended, agreed to.


(iii) Paragraphs 15 to 29, inclusive, agreed to.


(iv) Paragraph 30.


Paragraph read as follows:


“30. During the year an electronic computer was installed by the Revenue Commissioners in the Central Collection Branch. Income tax and sur-tax assessments, etc., and accounting and statistical work are carried out by the computer which also prepares reminders and performs other work in connection with the turnover tax. The Committee noted that P.A.Y.E. was not included in the computer’s operations and it wonders whether the equipment is being utilised to its maximum capacity. It is further noted that the Commissioners contemplate obtaining a much larger and more sophisticated electronic computer and the Committee expect that before entering into firm commitments there will be a thorough investigation to ensure that new and expensive equipment will be availed of by other Departments when not being used for tax purposes.”


Amendment proposed (Deputy Healy):


“To delete the third sentence of the paragraph and substitute the following: ‘The Committee noted that P.A.Y.E. had not been included in the computer’s operations but it is now informed that a pilot scheme for this work is at present under trial’.”


Amendment agreed to.


Paragraph, as amended, agreed to.


Draft Report, as amended, agreed to.


Ordered: To report to the Dáil accordingly.


4. Conclusion of Business.


The Committee concluded its business at 12.15 p.m.